I had a co-worker once who fished those Spey-types
I think he fished more for the challenge
Maybe that’s what we’re after sometime though

Plenny room on most beaches to try
Let us know how it goes

All the guys I know and myself use regular one handed rods for the surf.  A 7 weight if I am surf perch fishing, but a 9 if I know stripers are in the area. 

Like ScottV's friends I've always used a 9'0" single handed 7wt for surf fishing and never had to do a double-haul to send a fly out into the wind.  But I'm fishing for surf perch using itty-bitty flies so a long, strong cast isn't necessary.

Good luck with your new rod and let us know how it works out for you, please? 

Yes, I think it's debatable whether or not surf perch fishing really requires a lot of distance.  Be that as it may, I got out this morning : super foggy, high tide around 8am-sh, not much wind, surf was a bit more than I expected, but not too bad.  Typical sandy northern Monterey Bay.  Beach was practically deserted, and that was a good thing because I was getting used to the new running line, working on my line (mis)management, and so on.  It is tough to work on all that and also pay attention to not snagging dogs or runners with my back cast

I like how the rod casts with the 9wt head.  I think it does pretty well with my usual perch flies, which have bead chain eyes, or small brass eyes for a bit more weight.  I think the rod loaded well with slightly heavier flies, so I might try the shop's recommendation of a 10wt head later.

The old-timers I talked to a few years ago mentioned the importance of staying in contact with the fly.  I found that difficult until I started tucking the rod under my arm immediately after completing the cast and using both hands to strip in line.   That technique made it easier to detect strikes.

I think the snap swivels I typically use for surf fishing with a spinning rod are a little fragile for fly fishing.  Have to either use a heavier duty snap or actually start tying knots in my leader to attach the fly   Lost a couple flies that way, but I can tie more.

Thanks.  Realistically I only use a few different fly patterns, so tying knots shouldn't be such a big deal, at least in theory.  My close-up vision has really gone to hell over the last few years and I've upped most of my glasses to progressives.  Except of course for my surf fishing glasses ... photochromic, old prescription, and actually made of glass, by an optometrist who closed up shop ten or fifteen years ago.  I need to just bite the bullet, find a new source and get new lenses for those puppies.

In the meantime, I ran across these new Rio Fly-Clips.  I actually ordered a ten-pack in size 3 a while back and entirely forgot about them until just now, but I think they might work, just playing around with them.

Now that I've uh, stumbled upon a two handed overhead casting technique that works for me, I tried out my old 6wt switch rod with a 330 grain 8wt sinking head and the new running line in the casting pool.  Whoa, that thing flies pretty good.  I guess the magic is in the magician, and not the wand, or however the old saying goes.  And since it's a switch rod I can also cast it single-handed if for some reason I want to do that too.

Starting to really feel psyched about fly fishing the surf again

Starting to really feel psyched about fly fishing the surf again

YAY!

Nice perch!!! On the fly rod too. Awesome!