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The answer is "It depends". I have fished San Pedro harbor with 30mph winds, and launched in surf up to 8'. But you need special circumstances for those situations to make it worth the attempt. For high winds, you need real close wind breaks (moored boats may work), and not a long distance to or from where you are going to fish. Otherwise you are going to spend almost all of your time fighting the wind, and very little fishing. For medium winds (10 - 15mph) you might want to consider locations that the wind is blowing offshore or past some type of obstruction that will keep the wind swell down. The longer duration and distance that wind blows, in the same direction over open water, the larger the wind swell will become. I suggest that everyone gradually test their limits on paddling/pedaling both up-wind and cross-wind.
For surf there are 2 big considerations besides the reported wave heights. Those are the swell interval, and if there are multiple swells. Generally, surf reports are based on the size of the prevailing swell. Surf sites will give you some more inclusive forecasts by telling you the occasional heights of waves (when multiple swells combine to make larger waves). So, for larger wave sizes (5'+), you need long intervals (12+ secs) between sets to get out between them. If there are additional swells greater than 2' in height, that can make it more difficult. For medium swells, the additional swells will probably be less of a factor (unless they are similar in size), but you should expect to take at least 1 wave over the bow in intervals less than 10 secs. All this being said, you still need to know how to time the sets and have a good landing technique. And a good 2-4' swell day is a great opportunity to go out without your fishing gear and play in the surf (although summer is better).
These numbers are ball park figures. The point is that it is not as simple as what wind speed and wave height numbers do you draw the line.
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