Ultimate Baitcasting Reel That Maximizes the Thrill of Jigging

In jigging, anglers lure fish by allowing a heavy metal jig to fall deep into the sea against the tidal current by using a tough PE line. Jigging requires power and intellect. OCEA JIGGER was fully packed with optimal functions for intense battles. Offshore games in the severe environment require reels with superb functionality in all aspects, such as easy handling to jerk a jig, strong winding to overwhelm the intense running of fish, and rustproof and waterproof performance to withstand the sea breeze and seawater. Since its release in 1998, OCEA JIGGER has evolved in terms of rotation performance, falling performance, and durability by optimizing all parts and mechanisms for jigging. OCEA JIGGER spread the attractiveness of jigging around the world and increased its fan base. Acclaimed as peerless, ultimate jigging reels, OCEA JIGGER has continued to meet the skills of offshore anglers for more than 20 years.

STORY
SERIES

STORY

Supreme Rigidity and Smoothness That Spread the Attractiveness of Dynamic Jigging Around the World

The real thrill of jigging lies in the excitement of luring fish by allowing a jig to move like a living bait fish at the bottom of the sea, and quickly winding the line when there is a strike. Jigging started to attract public attention in Japan in the latter half of the 1990s partly because of the popularity of the target fish, such as tuna, yellowtail, and sea bream. To spread the real thrill promptly, Shimano released the Scorpion OCEA JIGGER 2000 baitcasting reel for jigging and the Scorpion OCEA rod for fishing categories including jigging in 1998. In 2000, it released OCEA Stinger Butterfly, a metal jig that achieved a phenomenal catch. Shimano offered a three-item set (a reel, rod and lure). Regarding OCEA JIGGER 2000, all parts as well as the mechanism and layout were optimized for jigging. The reel fascinated offshore anglers because it enabled them to maneuver a jig at will and reliably battle with big fish. It helped expand the jigging market rapidly.

Convinced of the potential of jigging, Shimano started to deploy the products in the global market. In the U.S., jigs became so hugely popular that they were generically called “butterflies.” They also spread in Europe and Oceania.

More distantly Much deeper More powerfully In jigging, anglers must maneuver a metal jig like a living bait fish, and make it move in an appropriate location to lure target fish. Jigging requires anglers to wind a reel constantly at varying speeds. The reels must ensure the performance in all aspects, including the reeling feel, rotation performance, falling performance, rigidity, and durability. OCEA JIGGER was equipped with the SUPER SHIP, which evolved from the SHIP (SMOOTH & HIPOWER SYSTEM) whose gear precision was enhanced and reeling efficiency was improved with smooth and strong rotation. The diameter of the main gear was maximized for baitcasting reels. Ball bearings were used to reduce the shaking, backlash and noise. OCEA JIGGER features a spool lock mechanism, which enabled anglers to cope with a hook rig caught on the seabed without applying an excessive load to the reel or rod, and a pure carbon washer, which achieved a reliable, strong and smooth release of the line when battling with big fish. It can be used in all weather conditions and scenes. The OCEA JIGGER reels for jigging are characterized by precision, rigidity, light winding, high power, and high speed. Anglers say that they can’t go back to other baitcasting reels once they try OCEA JIGGER.

Unwavering Commitment to Technology Innovation in Pursuit of the Fun of Bait Jigging

OCEA JIGGER established a strong position as a brand of jigging reels. It continues to evolve through unwavering commitment to craftsmanship.

OCEA JIGGER EV released in 2003 enabled anglers to casually enjoy authentic jigging by ensuring the basic performance established for the model released in 2000. OCEA JIGGER LD marketed in 2010 featured a lever drag, which made it possible to change the drag value at will. The gear ratio could be changed intentionally, and the two-speed specifications ensured excellent operability. Thus, the model gained tremendous support from anglers who targeted big fish. The OCEA JIGGER model released in 2011 was equipped with the X-SHIP, which evolved from the SUPER SHIP. It achieved amazingly high speed and high power as well as reduction in size through integration of the side plate.

In 2014, Shimano released OCEA JIGGER LIMITED, a special model for slow jigging available in a limited number. The limited model was characterized by comprehensive specifications, including the reverse tune drag which prevented line breakage, the T-shaped handle knob and wide spool, a long handle whose length was adjustable in two ways as a standard feature, and gold as a limited edition color.

17OCEA JIGGER released in 2017 was equipped with the INFINITY DRIVE, which was developed by significantly improving the overall structure of the X-SHIP. It achieved more powerful and light winding than before. The thumbing space was arranged to allow direct control of the spool by using the thumb and fingers. This enhanced the descending performance. In the same year, Shimano released OCEA JIGGER ROD and OCEA JIGGER∞Motive ROD, which were equipped with the full holding seat to achieve a supreme fitting feel, and the Spiral X Core, which increased the performance by using a carbon tape made from a high-strength material. OCEA JIGGER is representative of classic jigging reels. The high operability that ensures a sense of oneness with the angler, a powerful and smooth winding feel, and robustness that can endure severe usage are unparalleled. OCEA JIGGER still continues to evolve.

SERIES

Some of series are listed.

1998

Scorpion OCEA JIGGER

This model was equipped with the SUPER SHIP, which evolved from the SHIP (SMOOTH & HIPOWER SYSTEM) mechanism, whose gear precision was enhanced and reeling efficiency was dramatically improved with smooth and strong rotation. It incorporated a main gear whose diameter was maximized for baitcasting reels. The shaft of the main gear was supported by two ball bearings to reduce shaking, backlash and noise. The maximum transmission efficiency was 95.5%. The area in contact with the pinion gear was increased to optimize the layout. Durability was also improved. The model featured a spool lock mechanism, which enabled anglers to cope with a hook rig caught on the seabed without applying an excessive load to the reel or rod, and a pure carbon washer, which achieved a strong and smooth release of the line in both dry and wet conditions. It was designed to be used in all weather conditions and scenes.

2003

OCEA JIGGER EV

This was a highly cost-effective model that enabled anglers to casually enjoy authentic jigging by ensuring the basic performance designed for jigging, which was established for the first model. The functionality included the SUPER SHIP, which achieved powerful winding, the twin stopper, which ensured winding, the spool lock mechanism, which enabled anglers to cope with a hook rig caught on the seabed, and the pure carbon washer, which worked in both dry and wet conditions. The reel incorporating technologies of the highest grade became affordable, further expanding the popularity of jigging.

2010

OCEA JIGGER LD

The model was equipped with the lever drag, which enabled anglers to set the drag value as intended. The main functions were arranged on the handle side. The compact but powerful reel made it possible to enjoy offshore games with agility. The gear ratio could be changed intentionally, and the two-speed specifications helped achieve various actions. The reel generated excitement because it gave an advantage in battles with big fish. The jigging reel gained tremendous support from anglers who targeted big fish.

2011

OCEA JIGGER

This model was equipped with the X-SHIP, which further evolved from the conventional SUPER SHIP. The gear layout was reviewed to minimize the misalignment of the pinion gear and the drive gear. Amazingly high speed and high power were achieved thanks to technological innovation derived from in-depth research, such as increasing the gear diameter. A precision one-piece machine cutting achieved integration of the side plate and frame, resulting in significant downsizing with enhanced rigidity. It was slightly smaller than the conventional OCEA JIGGER model. Anglers could hold the reel and apply force easily.

2014

OCEA JIGGER LIMITED

The gold as a limited edition color made a difference. The model was available in limited numbers. It featured the reverse tune drag, which enabled anglers to loosen the star drag in the handle rotation direction. The model enabled various approaches, such as easy reducing the line tension to prevent line breakage. Consideration was given to the details, such as the long handle whose length was adjustable in two ways provided as a standard feature, the T-shaped handle knob, and the wide spool.

2017

OCEA JIGGER

This model was equipped with the INFINITY DRIVE, a new mechanism derived from the pursuit of more powerful and lighter winding, and an extensive review of the overall structure of the X-SHIP. The structure supported the grease bearing with the spool shaft, and the support distance and wall thickness were optimized. The drag sound mechanism was also reexamined. The reeling efficiency was increased by using a mechanism that did not generate sliding resistance during handle rotation. The rotation resistance was reduced by up to 60%. The thumbing space was arranged to directly control the spool using the thumb and fingers. This enabled adjustment on the spool edge without the line resistance and enhanced the descending performance.

2017

OCEA JIGGER ROD /OCEA JIGGER∞Motive ROD

The model was equipped with a full holding seat to achieve a supreme fitting feel. The thin tip and the narrow neck processing achieved a fatigueless grip feel and stability and enhanced the jigging precision. The model was also equipped with the Spiral X Core, which increased the performance by using a carbon tape made from a high-strength material. The torsional strength and crushing strength were improved by up to about 10% and 15%, respectively, compared to that of the conventional Spiral X.

2019

OCEA JIGGER F CUSTOM

The custom specifications featured a fall lever, the first for an authentic jigging reel. The lever shape was designed for jigging. The lever is readily operable using the thumb of either the left or the right hand, making it possible to flexibly control the fall speed and the posture of the jig in the water and to let the jig fall while applying appropriate tension. The model fully inherited the OCEA JIGGER technology to ensure smooth and powerful winding, rigidity, durability and drag performance. The reel enabled anglers to make an additional move when there was no strike. It helped anglers use more techniques and further enjoy the diversifying jigging styles.

2020

OCEA JIGGER 4000/4000HG

The No. 4000 reel, a large model which was also designed to battle with big fish in deep sea or on remote islands, was remodeled more than 15 years after the release. Based on the concept of “compact and high line capacity,” the reel was capable of winding a 1,200 m-long PE No. 3 line or a 700 m-long No. 5 line. The compact reel also ensured easy holding. Regarding the drag knob, the model featured a specially designed large diameter star drag to achieve more delicate drag adjustment. A sense of rigidity to reliably battle with big fish and user friendliness further increased the joy of jigging.