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The 25th anniversary tour of Saltwater Sportsman magazine’s national seminar series got off to a great start Saturday at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. with approximately 900 anglers in attendance.

This was the first seminar in a series of eight that will travel the East Coast. The series is hosted by George Poveromo of “George Poveromo’s World of Saltwater Fishing” television program and editor-at-large for Salt Water Sportsman magazine; and Tom Richardson, noted authority on fishing the coastal waters of New England and a prominent fishing writer and editor.

George and Tom shared the stage with eight local captains, two of them from Rhode Island. One was Capt. John Rainone, past president of the Rhode Island Party & Charter Boat Association and a distinguished Point Judith-based charter captain from the vessel L’il Toot. The second Rhode Islander was Capt. Louis DeFusco of West Warwick, who runs the charter vessel Hot Reels out of Point Judith. (He captured the Rhode Island swordfish record this summer with a 434-pound fish.)

One of the highlights of the seminar was meeting and listening to Greg Myerson of Westport, Conn., who caught the 81.8-pound, world record striped bass this summer using a three-way swivel with a large eel around a 12-foot boulder — one of his favorite big bass fishing spots.

“I use the largest eels I can get because the big fish are going to eat the big eels and you have to be stealth — no noise on the boat,” Greg said in an interview. “The best time to fish for trophy bass is at slack tide. The big fish are lazy. They are not interested in chasing bait in a lot of current, but rather wait until the water is still and they can hear and feel the vibrations of lobsters. Bass are nearsighted, so it’s all about listing and feeling vibration to find their prey.

“When I was younger fishing with friends, we would have bass-catching contests. If there were four guys on the boat, all presenting eels to the bass in the same spot, what is going to get them to take my eel versus the others? I found that trying to mimic the sound of a lobster worked well. Once attracted to the area, they would see the eel and take it.”

Greg said that he has invented a new fishing tackle device that attaches to your rig that’s designed to mimic the sound of a lobster. He’ll show the device at the Springfield Sportsmen’s Show in February. Visit Greg’s website at www.worldrecordstriper.com.

Each captain and fishing expert shared their favorite way to catch a variety of species. When asked about his favorite method to catch striped bass, seminar host George Poveromo said, “I like top-water lures. There is nothing like when a bass hits the plug.”

Here are some highlights of what other fishing experts had to say about tuna and striped bass fishing (fluke and tautog tips will follow in future columns).

For tuna, watch the water for birds feeding, oil slicks from past blitzes on bait in the area, whales feeding, etc. The answer to the question “Where are the fish?” is usually right in front of you. You have to learn how to read the water to find them. When on the troll, floral carbon leaders “give you strength plus a thinner, less visible presentation,” said Mr. Poveromo.

As for striped bass, the very first bass usually appear in April when the water hits 50 degrees off coastal shores. Narragansett Bay experts say they find the water a bit warmer (to 54 degrees) before they see the first spring bass. Most early spring bass are caught in shallow water, three to 12 feet.

Favorite ways to catch bass included fishing with a three-way swivel with eels, top-water plugs and swimming lures; a variety of soft plastic baits; and fishing with menhaden chucks or whole live fish.

A slow retrieve works best in the spring, faster retrieves when the water is warmer. Three- to four-ounce diamond jigs are often used in the spring, too.

Summer fishing for big bass is usually done at night, with the water typically at 70 degrees, at reefs in 28 to 44 feet of water starting at the high point of the reef.

“One of the tactics we use in the summer is fishing with parachute jigs. I troll at 2.5 to 3 knots and tell customers to envision they are sweeping the floor” rather than using hard jerking motions, said Capt. Rick Mola of Norwalk, Conn. “We use menhaden often in the spring, either live or in chuck form, generally in low water.”

Input needed

The R.I. Marine Fisheries Council, its advisory panels and a major public hearing will be convening this month and next to determine what fishing regulations will be recommended for 2012. Anglers are urged to attend as it’s an opportunity to impact fishing policy and regulation in Rhode Island. The meeting schedule is as follows:

• Jan. 11: Shellfish Advisory Panel

• Jan. 17: Winter Flounder Advisor Panel

• Jan. 17: Striped Bass Advisory Panel

• Feb. 22: Public hearing for input on policy/regulations for many species.

Capt. Dave Monti has been fishing and shellfishing on Narragansett Bay for more than 40 years. He holds a captain’s master license and a charter fishing license. Your fishing photos in jpeg form, stories, comments and questions are welcome. Visit Capt. Dave’s No Fluke website at www.noflukefishing.com or e-mail him at dmontifish@verizon.net.