The annual fall striper migration is based around cooling water temps and the various baitfish including the peanut bunker and silverside coming out of the bays and into the ocean.  The fish are keyed into this pattern and like a little extra protein before the chill of winter sets in.  When the stripers find the baitfish the feed is on and the massive blitz of fish can stretch on for acres. 

Typically natural colored flies that range from size 2-4 were the most effective. The bait they're chasing are quite small and the flies did not need to be identical to them. The only flies that proved ineffective were ones with flash. For some reason, they just would not commit to a fly with too much flashy material tied in. Tan clousers were probably the most effective. Crease flies were very fun to throw for false Albacore. It appeared the False albacore also liked smaller flies even down to a size 6.  Floating lines were fine but an intermediate was nice to have in the event the schools of fish were down deeper and were not boiling on the surface.

Fly rods designed for this type of saltwater fishing require a stiff, fast action that can pull up a fast sinking line with ease and have a heavy backbone for lifting power. I get asked a lot about "overlining" a rod. I usually recommend it because it allows the caster to feel the rod load and helps with the timing of the cast. It is especially effective for intermediate level casters where timing is a challenge. 

Many manufacturers offer great technology, especially at the high end. Winston uses Boron; Sage has introduced Konnetic Technology, Hardy has Sintrex Technology, and GLoomis has the NRX.  All this new technology allows anglers to apply maximum pressure to a fish and still have a lightweight rod in their hand. The investment into a good rod is something that is well worth its weight in fish and is just plain pleasurable to cast. The new developments in rod technology have also spawned a new field of moderately priced rods that are also high performance.