A bunch of people catch striped bad by this pier inline by and I can't figure out how they catch them. I've tried rattle traps and bait. Theirs a lot of shad there also but for some reason I can't get them to bite. What tide should I fish I live on Chesapeake. What should I use to catch them

I'm on the west coast and catch a lot of strippers. I use a sliding weight holder with a 2 to 8 oz pyramid sinker depending on depth and current. Then a plastic bead to protect my knot then a swivel. I attach a 2 to 3 ft leader to the swivel with a number 4 to 6 bait hook. I use FRESH sardines, anchovies, or shad and secure it tightly to the hook with magic thread or sewing thread. Use somewhat heavy tackle. I use between 20 and 30 lb test. Cast out and let that sinker go to the bottom kinda like cat fishing. Other good baits are ghost shrimp and pile worms but then... be careful this is how I caught my sturgeon haha but I don't know if you guys have them out there!

Clams and eels!!!!!