I know you're probably not in any mood to hear this recommendation, but if I were you, and I was fishing one of the premier striper spots in New England, and I was having a rough go at it, I'd be seeking out someone who know's their s--t or hire a guide for a few days to get some techniques.
I started saltwater flyfishing in '01 after a decade of fishing trout streams. My first year throwing the fly in the brine I caught a total of 5-6 stripers; all but one came from a long weekend I spent fishing the beach at MV and one from my former home waters around NYC. I can't begin to tell you about spending night-after-night casting at North Beach Sandy Hook and getting the occasional fluke or sea robin.
After years of vowing I'd never hire a guide, I broke down and started fishing with the younger guides from the Vineyard around '02. I now own my own boat, do fairly well and rarely get skunked. I've learned a lot from those guys and I still book one dude in particular on my annual trips to MV - not so much that I fear not being able to find fish on my own or that I need someone to hold my hand, but because on every trip I pick up something new from guys who spend an entire season on the water. Just a thought - not trying to push business for anyone.  |