Janus,,, Glad you had a nice time down there. True, casting from knee-deep in the surf is a different game for sure. If you decide to go back or do more of that type of fishing learning the 'double-haul' will improve your day (and catching chances) immensely. If you own that 8wt. you can teach yourself how at home. You can do it; it is not hard to learn and makes fishing not only possible, but fun!