I agree with the summer thing, and for years now have avoided July, August, and early September.

During these months, I stay away from trying for linesiders, and instead move inside and work the Stripper Night Bite.

Ya know given the cost of shad if you buy them, trolling for Strippers is actually a little cheaper if you "us your own bait". I find downpooling works best, but sometimes have had luck pushing the bait to one side or the other. Offshore Planer boards cost over $20 each,. so I just use free lined $10's.

Funny thing is I used to fish under the lights, but find the Strippers prefer environment that is less well lit. I never keep any Strippers, strickly catch and release. I don't think the state has a size limit, but I never keep any over 150 pounds and always release the ones under 100 pounds.

Its best for their attitude to avoid netting, best to just hand land them, but don't try to lip them as they do have teeth. There's other methods where you can hand land them much safer.