Mark,
I use a shooting head and it really helps out a lot in terms of casting distance.
Typically, when I fish the flats from the kayak I position the kayak up tide a couple of hundred yards
(depending on wind). Invariably I never drift "facing foward, but thats ok.
As long as I do not cast head on into the wind, or have the wind coming over my casting arm, 70 ft dumps are pretty easy.
When the wind was optimal I can snap the running line against the reel on some good throws.
However, as you know you have to quater the cast such that you do not
run it down with your drifting kayak, or rip it through the water by pulling it with
your drifting boat.
Obviously when there is a specific target (such as breaking fish) you gotta take
whatever angle your presented with. But in terms of prospecting on the flats I
just load the rod and shoot with the above allowences. Stripping basket is between my legs.
I also find that one hand retreives are pretty tiring after a while so I place the rod
under my arm and use a two hand retreive.
My rig I use is a sage 8 wt throwing an intermediate 9 wt SH. But from earlier postings
it was suggested to "overline" the rod by two wts so I'll try a 10 wt and see how it works.
I also use a kAyak with a wide cockpit (kewee) so its very stable. So stable that as long as
the water is not higher then my (ever expanding) stomach I can hop out and wade fish
with the kayak rope in my mouth or tied off on my belt/life preserver.
I don't troll because its just not that much fun for me.
So bottom line is try shooting heads, you'll be happily surprised.
Greg