When you say "shorter head and better anchor" you're all screwed up. Are you blowing your anchor with the speylite? Short heads don't need full snap Ts and double spey casts, because youre gonna blow your anchor with the short heads; start working on perry pokes. Watch Larimers video on the...
Lots of guys do. I have fished two handed rods for years on the beach. I prefer integrated lines but any commando style on some mono will work fine. I liked the SA Speylite skagit intermediate for an integrated line. Great for high water. Not always the best tool, but a fun change