striper newbie

[ralphrox]

when to catch them? were to catch them? what kind of bait to use? what kind of terminal tackle

[FishOn]

Check out the helping each other out forum. Lots of answers to your questions there

[Tacklebox Joe]

 .....plus read the threads right here in "from the surf" read the Steve McKenna article i posted too 

[ChrisL]

Your best bet would be to take some time and read through the sticky threads in the surf forum and the helping each other forum.  Some great info in there that will cover most of your questions. 
The Cliff notes version...
Stripers can be caught anywhere along the beaches and bays.
Bays will start in March and the ocean in April.
The fish will be around (hopefully) in decent numbers for April, May and into June. The summer will slack off a bit.  Then Sept into Dec. will be good again.
Bait will vary wit hthe season.  Clams, bunker, mullet, etc.