Sad, not at all. This time of year is rough and you really have to be at the right place at the right time. Sunup and sundown really come into play here as well.
Read the beach with a fine tooth comb and pick your spots carefully. They're out there but hard to find.
Jeff, as for your first beach striper, well all I have to say is you got to put your time in. Once you learn to read the beach ans know where the structure is your luck will turn into success at the end of your line.
Good luck to all that venture out onto the beach this year. Lets all keep in touch via cell phones and maybe this year will be a banner year for all of us.
Happy Catching
Paul