Looks like a good fishing trip. I've never fished for striped bass however I've experienced 'blitzes' when a school of herring are near the surface.
With respect to the waders (apologies if you already knew this) the easy way to don them is to turn them inside out except for the 'shoe' section, sit in a chair, put the 'shoes' on, then roll the waders on and adjust as you go.
I'm curious why you were wearing the waders when you were in the boat. Were they the style shown or were they neoprene
waders?