Hi J, for the 8wt. I recommand going 1 wt higher on your fly line. so that mean to use a 9wt shooting head. it will load the rod better, and you will notice a big difference in your casting. TFO is good with 1 wt line over what it is rated for. I have 11wt shooting head on my 10 wt. and 8wt shooting head on my 7 wt. there are times not lately that i could cast 90 to 100 ft, but i don't like to. usually i get tangles in the basket when i carry more then 70 feet. most fish are caught between your feet and 40 feet out.
Do you use a stripping basket? I made mine and still using it after 14 years.