chick. dam stripers

I am newbe to stripers here in chattanooga, can anyone tell me when is a good time to start fishing for them here. I was at the dam yesterday morning and now shad were running the edges yet. does the water need to warm some before this will start I have been told late feb. and march was the best time. any help would be nice sure want to get in on some of that action when it starts. also the twra man told me that trout stocking will be thursday the 24th for thrasher bridge in soddy daisy.