Hi Pete,
I don't think Striper season, on the sound, opens until 15 April, so that's probably out.
I don't see any need to hire a guide if you possess basic Trout skills.
Give Rob Ceccarini at Orvis a call 212-827-0698. He'll have the most info on where and what to fish for.
The Delaware River offers some good SM Bass fishing, you'd have to check seasons.
You could do well on your own in the Catskills for Trout with basic skills. This link is for the Roscoe area, if you Google around a bit the Catskills you'll find more.
http://www.roscoeny.com/Fishing.htm Two and half hours out of the city. There is a Fly Fishing Museum there also. I was there in August for the Hardy Cup Casting tournament with a Barrio GT line. Great area, wonderful fishing.
There is plenty of Steelhead fishing that you'd only need Trout tactics for and a 7wt or up rod.