l use to surf a lot on my 8-0 but then l decided to sell it and had a 6-6 fish but never surfed very well on it. Im 16 150 and 5 11 wondering how to surf a shortboard and what size board? Want a shortboard that can handle smaller waves

If you're used to an 8', never surfed well on the 6' 6'' u had, *and* you're going to be in smaller waves, u should try a fun board a.k.a. mini mal.

Shortboards r fast but require experience to ride. They r also more difficult to catch a wave on. The larger & wider the board the easier it is to pick up small waves. Again, u want a wider tail too because it will offer easier turns. A good funboard/mini mal for now would be a 7' 2''.

Try to buy used, because you're still growing & the more skilled u become u will want to work ur way down. Generally speaking though, shortboards & guns r best for medium to large swells.

As for how to ride it, just practice. You already know what to do, it is just a matter of experience & working ur way down to it. But a 8' to a 6' 6'' was too big a leap.

Practice, practice, practice.
We're about the same size and l rock a 5'11'' fish. It is just a matter of geting used to a board you stick where you want it to go as opposed to turning like a Caddilac.

Get a 6'3'' squash tail with wide rails.