Surfing Waves

I'm looking to get my first longboard for the typical small days and soft spots in socal... bolsa chica, doheny, c street, sometimes sanO. I'm 5'11", 160-165lb, low-intermediate (currently riding a 7'6" minimal and a 7' midlength). I don't have much interest in nose-riding, I just want to get into waves earlier and have some fun with trimming and turning.

So, longboard wise -- I'm thinking somewhere between 9' and 9'6", erring on the lower side. I see a few pintails and pulled-in tails in this range that I think fit the bill of what I'm looking for. But as it's my first longboard, I don't know if I should be erring toward the wide flat tails that I see in all the noseriders? Stability isn't my primary goal but I don't wanna hamstring myself by going with some advanced HPLB shape.

Any insight appreciated

I would guess maybe get a stubbier tail than a pintail but make sure there is lots of tail rocker

A pintail is good for steep waves but if the waves are less steep then a wider tail gives more push from the wave. Tail rocker allows you to turn the board easier sort of makes it work similar to a shorter board.