heres a few links
http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripert...canal-how.html
http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripert...rent-jigs.html
for the canal, im personally not a fan of jigging all the time, ive done well there jigging but would rather throw plugs.
for spots, the fish are moving, its a giant conveyor belt, the fish are moving with the tide. go to a spot you feel comfortable with, something that has enough room to cast and a spot to land a fish.
yes there are spots that will produce on every tide if you know them.
be an observer, if you see 5 guys jigging a stretch theres a reason why, take notes.
some days ill go there and make mental notes of things i see, a mussel flat, a drop off point, a steep bank, etc.
ive caught fish on top when they werent breaking, so feel you need to see them crashing on top.
distance can be key, but most guys have pulled the biggest fish 20 yards from where there standing, myself included.
have fun and be safe