T - where are you going to be fishing? How? What are the regulations for this time of year?
I'm a little out of my Chesapeake element (by 20 something years) but are you fishing from boat or shore? Chunk bait or lures? What part of the bay? Its big.
Honestly, the best bet is to contact a local bait and tackle (or two) where you'll be fishing and find out the best time / tide to be there and what to use once you get there. Then be sure to use the bait they recommend by purchasing from them. Make sure your gear is ready, clean line (what kind of reel?),
And loose the gamerspeak, no sefl-respecting tackle shop owner is going to know (or care) about p0wn!ng the fish
Normal chunking: You'll probably be chunking cut bait in which case you will want to use the least amount of weigh necessary to hold your bait without moving. Main line is run through a nylon fishfinder rig (with weight attached using lighter line than main line) to a decent size swivel - say 100# - with a 24-36 leader of heavier mono or flourocarbon leader material to your hook. When using bait, I prefer a circle hook.
Knots: look at the Improved Clinch and Palomar to get started:
http://www.animatedknots.com/indexfi...matedknots.com
What size fish will you be targeting and available where you are fishing?
Some other info:
http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripert...ting-hook.html
http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripert...101-class.html