The best advice I can give is book a half day or day charter with a striper guide, preferably on the water you wish to fish most of the time. I booked a charter with Capt. Troy of Striper-Sniper Adventures on Jordan Lake last fall and learned about bait, rigs, lead-core line (as an alternative to downriggers), etc. I'm actually work with Troy on a video about "Planer Board Fishing for Striped Bass" that will be released in a next year. After that we may do one on live-bait and trolling for Stripers.
I'm sure some others can join in here with some tips to get you going in the meantime though.
I'm sure some others can join in here with some tips to get you going in the meantime though.