Stripers, where and when?

Wanting to start doing some local striper fishing. I've only striper fished on Lake Murray before. Was thinking I should try Hickory or Rhodhiss. I've heard good things about stripers on Rhodhiss. When would be the best time for a productive day? Would now and March be too early to start? I'm planning on using u-rigs and live bait(gizzard shad) mainly. Has anyone striper fished these lakes, where should I start looking/fishing/trolling?

Thanks for the input.

IF this spring is like years past, they'll be in the lower half of the lake. I always found it tough to find a concentration of fish until late spring.

That's where I figured I should start.