Reading the Beach

[partsjay]

I have noticed that alot of people say to go to beaches at low tide and look for spots. My question is ( without trying to sound like a complete moron ) what are you looking for? I have been fishing for stripers for 5 years and alot of my fishing is done in some local bays ( flats ), rivers ( early in the year ), and sometimes the canal. I would think that you would be looking for rocks and structure, maybe a drop-off, but I don't see alot of the things that I hear about. The beaches that I am familiar with, when it's low tide, the beach looks almost the same as high tide, ( sand , some small rocks ) and that's about it. Does this mean that I'm missing the right signs? Or maybe it's not a great looking spot? I can't ever remember seeing a beach at low tide and saying " look at that drop-off, or gulley, or hole". Is there any good books or websites or seminars that I can check out? I'm thinking of joining M.S.B.A......I know some of you belong, can I learn from your meetings? I am an avid fisherman who loves to fish and I take it quite seriously, but most of my fishing is done alone, and all I know I figured out on my own through doing my homework and being skunked for weeks at a time. I think I need a little more help to get better results though...biggest fish ever was 42"......get my share of 30 or so inch fish as well but I feel as though I should be doing better. Any advise is greatly appreciated. Thanks Alot.