When is the surf too rough to fish?

[Monty]

I'm not as hard core as some of you guys. dont like the spray of water in my face it gets old real quick. white water monty I am curious what your preference is, 8-10 feet?

5-7 feet is about it for me. I just want to be out there fishing, so if its fishable and I can get out there I do.
But...Catching a Striper in a rough surf gives me a bigger rush. Its more challenging to me, hence the feeling of accomplishment is bigger.
One of my favorite outings I caught 3 short Stripers and lost 2 others plus a few hits in waves that were in the 4-6 feet area on long casts with Ava 37 and rubber teaser between 2:00 and 5:00 AM, on a sandy beach, dragging it over sand bars, along the bottom.....in pouring rain (was lots of fun, worked hard for those fish, in solitude ).
2-4 feet with a decent chop is lots of fun. Got chop and white water and water that's not to murky its time to I like throwing a 2 3/8 oz Super Strike popper in this type of water in daylight. At night throwing Hogys over bars, close to rocks, troughs. My favorite/most successful plug for rough surf at night is the Bottle darter.
Normally if I get down to the shore and the waves are 4-6, 5-7 and water is murky I'll head bayside (not an option these days).