Get a FireWire Vader in 5'5. Due to the hull design it will get you up planing and give you more time to focus on the drop and popping up. It's also got a diamond tail and rated for up to double over head with straight rails and decent rocker so it's made for tube time. Super agile and stable at the same Time.
Find a way to give one a try, it will blow your mind on surf board design. I've got one and also know another guy that only rides his as a quad with a knub fin in up to 1.5x overhead and hollow. It loves taking off in the pocket of steep waves