Generally, I look for the ones that have surface activity i.e.. fish popping, fleeing bait etc. I also have found that for me the docks near the deeper water, and faster current seem to hold more striper. I like to keep my yak into the current, cast up current, and just let my lure drift back with the current like a normal baitfish presentation, just outside of the shadow of the light line.
This particular evening I was using a Bass Assassin paddle tail on a 3/16 once weighted hook, but as most of you know when there feeding you can just about throw anything.
A raw thumb is a good day of fishing!
As October comes to a close the striper bite will only get better thru November and December so go get LIMITED-OUT