Boston Harbor Info for Newbie Please

[Jim H]

I fished Boston Harbor yesterday afternoon. Caught three cod (biggest was 5lbs) with clams. Tried trolling tubes, umbrella rigs, rapalas, mackeral chunks, and clams on Faun Ledge....NO STRIPERS...maybe it was the low tide....not sure.

My question to the experts are
1) I live in Methuen (north shore) - is Winthrop state ramp the best place to launch? Any other suggestions for launch sites for an 18' boat?
2) Names of some good bait shops - I don't remember driving by one on my way to the Winthrop ramp (although we were kind of lost!)
3) Any help on tides/locations of stripers in the harbor and how to catch 'em

I am used to fishing clams and mackeral on the bottom in the mouth of the Merrimack!

Thanks,

Jim