Did the football field thing and got 75 to 85 yards with the 12' spinners using 65lb and 80lb braided line and 4oz weights. Could easily hit 100 yards with the 15' spinner with 80lb braid and 6oz. On the beach is different. Farthest casting is a cannon ball rig no question, only losing 5 to 10 yards depending on whether or not we're using half or whole squid. Half a mac and we can reach 45 to 55 yards. Using the 15' with a double squid and a three way with 6oz 70yards. Half a mac and about 60 yards.
And line off your reel is not a foolproof measure. There can be a lot of line that goes out depending on the arc of the cast that doesn't equate to distance. Even after you reel in slack, if there's wind or a strong current there can be a lot of bow in your line.
Wading out sucks too. I'm too lazy and cheap to start futzing with waders. It seems like I can more than make up for any distance gained by the wade with a strong Off the Ground cast if I wait until the water recedes. I don't mind getting my tootsies wet, which is why I usually wear long cargo shorts when I fish the beach, but that's about as much work as I want to put into it.
If I really need to get my baits out there, well, I've reached that stage in life where I'm more than happy and can afford to buy the young studs plenty of beer to paddle baits out for my tired old lazy a$$