For some reason ,you don't see much of the top water action with the Gulls workng over the Schools of Stripers . Last year I saw it only once or twice in Rocky Hallow and German Creek . I have fished for Stripers on Cherokee for 20+ years and there pattern has changed over the last two or three years and it just not me.Other fishermen have said the same thing .. If you don't see them in the breaks try Trolling with large Plugs,Big Mac's, Mann's+ 25 ,bucktails .or Livebait.Casting to points with bucktails or Sassey Shad's will work or jiggig Hopkin Spoons off the bottom.Hope your Boy gets a big one. I know it hooked my son on the Stripers when he was just a kid.. Yank