Feb. 28 & March 1 • Marriott Hotel, Newton, MA
vendor display vendor display seminar session seminar session

About the Castafari Offshore Fishing Seminar

Welcome to the 12th Annual Castafari Big Game Fishing Seminar. The 2026 event is moving back to our Newton location at the Newton Marriott Hotel. Our last event welcomed over 355 guests and over 47 participating vendors. The Castafari seminar will offer 35 different topics to choose from including 18 hands on workshops and the most comprehensive bait-rigging instruction ever offered at any fishing seminar (Ballyhoo, mullet, bluefish, mackerel, skip baits, strip baits, eels, stick baits, butterfish, O-tentacles, and squid).

After co-founding the Big Game Bash seminar in 2009, Castafari went on to join forces with J&B Tackle, presenting the Castafari Offshore Seminar Series in 2015. As always, J&B Tackle will be setting up a fully loaded retail store at this event, and offering a vast array of products and discounts. J&B has more than proved to be one of the best and most reputable tackle centers in the northeast.

Castafari, Inc. is no stranger to creating and hosting successful big game fishing events, ie: The Hyannis Tunafest, Oak Bluffs Bluewater Classic, Battle Of The Bay, and Big Game Bash. The Castafari Seminar will offer a vast array of knowledge, experience, and products to bluefin tuna and northeast canyon fishermen. Our speakers hold numerous state/world records and tournament wins and accomplishments, not to mention decades of offshore fishing experience. All of them are worth checking out on our speakers page page. A seminar is only worth what presentations and knowledge it has to offer which in the end will help save you time and money, and more importantly, connect you to fish! No one knows everything, and the sport of big game fishing is constantly evolving. This event helps us all stay one step closer to what is happening out there.

This exclusive 2 DAY event will enable you to experience ALL of the presentations and amenities we have to offer.

  • Doors open at 10:30 am on Saturday, February 28th and 8 am Sunday, March 1st.
  • Complimentary Lunch Buffets On Both Saturday and Sunday!
  • Over $15,000 in Door Prizes and 45-50 vendors setting up at our show!
  • Price of admission is $265.00 ($175 for women/kids)
  • SPECIAL HOTEL ROOM RATE OF $159 is available...Limited Block!
  • Ticket Holders will get incredible discounts on tackle and accessories.

Learn from the Pros - 2 Full Days of Detailed Presentations
Capt. Damon Sacco, Capt. Mark Decabia, Capt. Taylor Sears, Capt. Bryan Sears, Capt. John Bunar, Capt. Kevin Albohn, Capt. Tommy Howd, Capt. Matt Perachio, Capt. Billy Shouldice, Capt. Mike Hogan, Capt. Seth Funt, Dr. Walter Golet. Check out their bios.

Last Year's Castafari Big Game Fishing Seminar Topics

  • Don't Be A One Trick Pony by Capt. Kevin Albohn
  • Adapting To Changes In The Northeast Offshore Fishery by Capts. Damon Sacco, Matt Perachio, & Mark Decabia
    • Rigging Artificial Dredge Workshop by Capts. Jeff Barr & Mark Decabia
  • Jigging Giant Tuna by Capt. Matt Perachio
  • Finding & Catching Bait - Where, How, Why by Capts. John Bunar, Damon Sacco, Seth Funt
  • Rigging Stick Baits Correctly by Capts. Bryan & Taylor Sears
  • Jigging 101 From Start To Finish by Capt. Seth Funt
  • Rigging Assist Hooks by Capt. Jorge Polo
  • Rigging A Natural Dredge Workshop by Capt. Dylan Hunt
  • Spooling Reels On The Fly by Capt. Matt Perachio
  • Late Season Bluefin Tactics by Capt. John Bunar
  • Choosing The Right Rod For The Job by Capt. Jack Sprengel and Kevin Albohn
  • Finding Fish In The Canyons by Capt. Mark Decabia
  • Connections Workshop Jigging/Casting by Kevin Albohn
  • Trolling The Canyons Here & Now by Capt. Billy Shouldice
  • Night Fishing For Swordfish by Capt. Tommy Howd
  • Building A Bait Tray Workshop by Capt. Dylan Hunt
  • Rigging Squid Workshop by Capt. Tommy Howd
  • Working Stick Baits & Poppers by Capts. Jack Sprengel & Max Dispoto
  • Rigging Hook Baits For Tuna Capts. Damon Sacco & Mark Decabia
  • Rigging Swordfish Strip Bait Workshop Capt. Tommy Howd
  • Splicing & Knot Connections Capt. Matt Perachio
  • Throwing A Cast Net Workshop Capt. John Bunar
  • Reading Birds To Find Fish - Capts. Matt Perachio & Mark Decabia
  • How To Rig & Use Cockpit Harpoon Capt. Mike Hogan
  • Deep Dropping Tools Workshop Capt. Tommy Howd
  • Crimping Workshop by Capt. Dylan Hunt
  • Bridling Live Bait Workshop Capt. Billy Shouldice
  • Rigging Trolling Mackerel Workshop Capt. Damon Sacco
  • Rigging An FG Knot Start To Finish by Capt. Kevin Albohn
  • Rigging A RonZ Correctly by Capt. Kevin Albohn
  • Tile Fishing In The Canyons by Capt. Seth Funt
  • Deep Dropping For Swords & Tuna Capt. Tommy Howd
  • How To Skirt Big Game Lures by Capt. Stephen Weitzen
  • Changing Out Casting/Jigging Hooks Capt. Matt Perachio
  • Choosing & Matching Hooks by Capt. Matt Perachio
  • Attaching Weights & Lights To Line Capt. Tommy Howd
  • Changing Out Lure Hooks Workshop Capt. Matt Perachio
  • Rigging Circle Hooks For Ballyhoo Capt. Billy Shouldice
  • Using Stand Up Gear - Capts. Mark Decabia & Stephen Weitzen
  • Following Giant Tuna (Tagging Research) by Dr. Walter Golet
  • Line Testing Challenge In Tank by Capt. Matt Perachio
  • The Bluefin Highway - Bank To Chatham by Capt. Matt Perachio
  • Knot Tests & Wars by Capt. Matt Perachio
  • Fish Print Painting by Artist Joe Higgins