This will be my first year of Striper fishing. I have never gone before. I will be going primarily to the Salisbury Mass area where the Merrimack River meets the ocean. I have a couple of questions.. first, what is the best bait for stripers? Second, when is the best time to go, I know nothing about when they "run", if that's even the correct term. Thanks!

Best bait, eels, best time, when you have time(nights preferred) all tides work, it's just a matteer of l;ocation,they arrive there by Mid May and are available through October....

Thanks, I didn't realize they were there that early in the season. Someone mentioned Maryland Purple clams or some such thing as a good bait for stripers. Is there such a thing?

wellesley bearded clams aren't so bad

You can pretty much set you watch by the 15th, if the water temp is warm, they may be a week earlier...

the first fish round the south jetty and head straight to the dam in Lawrence,jigs, soft plastics and small plugs take these hungry fish, bigger fish will filter in each day, by the end of May there are some decent fish in the entire river system, fish in the high teens and low twenties (ponds not inches) are common, By early June, the big momma's show up, fishing is good day or night, live mackerel,cut bait (herring or mackerel) worms or clams all produce, herring sized plugs, sluggo's and eels will take these fish...

Where you will be fishing should heat up sometime in may and be real hot for a while. I used to like throwing small bucktails and soft plastics on jig heads around the mouth of the river in early June. Good spot to fish. Check in with the tackle shops in the area, they can provide good info.

Thank you.

The few times i fished the merrimack a few years back clams seemed to be the bait of choice. Everytime i fished up there from either boat or shore we did well in numbers. Didnt hit em large but made up for it in quantity. HErring came in a distant second for bait, never tried eels up there but can guarantee they will work for ya.

Besides the excellent tips you'll get from the fine people that utilize this site, I would suggest a little reading/research. Since it will be a few months before the striped guys will be back, you can sharpen your skills, and maybe plan a couple of trips while you wait.
I use the winter for gear repair and upkeep (when I'm not out on some ice).

Hey newbie - another good idea is for you to join the local club and get to know a few guys in your area...The Plum Island Surfcasters is a great place to start. Many of the members are regulars on this site. Check out their web site and the information is there. See you on the beach come spring.:D :D