what kind of bait do you guys recomend for stripers?

live bait
like live eels

Do they sell eel in bait shops?

Yes, most bait shops sell eels. But make sure they are lively when you get them.

You may want to do some research on this site for old posts that can tell you many different ways to hook them and what hooks are the most liked and used. aslo how to transport the eels with you whether you're fishing from a boat or the sand.

Tight lines!

Pogies or mackerel , chunked or fillets .No more fresh pogies in the shops now only frozen..mackerel tends to hold up better.