Decided to give these methods a try, including trolling, line counter, etc....

Any tips for someone starting out? (Other than stay away from sunken trees....)

My favorite Sandy trolling rig. Just troll it like you would anything else

Thanks. Do you clip extra weight on to keep it deeper?

Those are all weighted swim baits. Seems like it swims about 4-6ft when trolling 3-4mph.I'll usually troll 3 different setups at 3 different depths when I go though. The umbrella rig will bring sandies but need a bigger deep diver to pull the hybrids and stripers from under them

I strongly recommend line counters, it makes it easy to get back to the same setup.
When I moved to Texas, I basically repurposed the line counter reels I used in Oregon/Washington for Kokanee and trout.
For getting down to various depths, I use a higdon hellbender as my diving plug.

Where you at Sea Pro Todd?!

Thanks. I bought a simple Berkley line-counter to start with. I will hopefully go to some purposed line-counter reels later.

And I do have a couple of hellbenders! Yay! I will give them a try. Thanks.

I use captain Mack umbrella rigs for stripers and hybrid. They are online or at some academy’s. They have a chart on the inside of the package that helps figure line size and depth. Usually you can get them down close to 30 ft. They are stainless steel and hold up to big fish much better than the yumbrella brand’s.

Thanks. Yes, Capt. Mack’s is the brand I ordered.

ANNNND just like that, a fully loaded Capt. Mack’s umbrella rig was sacrificed to the underwater tree gods......

Well. Shucks! It crossed my mind to mention that possibility. Wait until you loose 2 in the same tree at once. I never use umbrella rigs when I’m alone at a lake that I know has a lot of trees. Someone needs to drive and watch the sonar while someone else handles the rods. I rigged up a retriever with an old penn saltwater reel on a cheap saltwater bait rod with 200 lb contractors string line. Captain Mack sells the weighted retriever. It’s worth the investment if you plan to continue using umbrella rigs.

Ha! I don't troll so can't help ya here. But for the strongest ARig out there and best price, order from here

http://kcschoolem.com/

Get the "Texoma" ARigs with blades for big strippers. Buddy up for large order, the owner will give you great deals. The Yum are flimsy and expensive. You catch 2 big strippers on it, lure's kaput!

ill just throw this out there.....i like replacing the rings and swivels on the A rigs. A nice size fish can snap those off with the smaller units they come with.......

I use umbrella rigs for stripers. Troll approx 2.6 mph, let out approx 100 yards of line. I use 14 to 17 # mono line. I replace swivels with better quality ( had stripers straighten those cheap swivels). I nnormally use 4" chartreuse or silver swim baits on the outer 4, and a large 6" chartreuse swim bait in center. Spread the out 4 so they are straight across. This combo takes you down 25-30 feet. You do loose a few do to underwater structures. For white bass, try silver spoons.

well said floydster---a decent striper will snap those small swivels. ive learned the hard way....