[ICAST 2024] Shimano Drops 2 NEW Saltwater Reels

Industry leader Shimano has brought out a few new beasts of saltwater fishing reels with the new Ocea Jigger LD and the newly redesigned Talica 20IIA and 25IIA. The first of the two, the Ocea Jigger LD, is the culmination of years of improvement in jigging reel technology by Shimano. Packed full of proprietary Shimano tech, the new Ocea Jigger LD offers slow pitch jigging anglers a best-in-class experience. The reel incorporates the new Infinity Drive tech that incorporates a new drag design for increased drag force but at the same time requires up to 30% less power to crank the reel. The shift to lever drag from star drag is also a big improvement, making for easier and more consistent drag adjustment on the fly. The new OCEA Jigger LD comes in two models the 2500HG (High Gear) and 2500MG (Medium Gear). Both of these have an MSRP of $599.99.

Features – Shimano Ocea Jigger LD

• Infinity Drive: Drastically reduces rotational torque, constructing a reel that can actively wind under heavy loads.
• S-Compact Body: Power, rigidity, and durability result in a reel that feels one size smaller in your hand. The B-side sideplate is all one piece, contributing to both rigidity and in-the-hand palming comfort. The A-side sideplate has the handle, drag adjustment, and cast control knob.
• HAGANE Body: A reel body with high rigidity, which virtually eliminates body flexing due to its stiffness and impact resistance. The result? An angler’s actions are more efficiently transformed into cranking power. It’s efficiency through strength.
• X-Protect: By combining a water-repellent coating and a specially designed water-channeling labyrinth construction, X-Protect provides high-level water resistance without adding weight or sacrificing light rotor rotation.
• Cross Carbon Drag: Allows for a wider range of drag settings, enhanced drag washer durability, and the smoothest Shimano drag performance ever.
• Gear Ratio – High Gear 6.2:1 / Medium Gear 5.7:1
• Max Drag – 44 lb
• Weight – 24.3 oz
• PowerPro Line Cap – 40-560, 50-470, 65-340
• Line Retrieve Per Crank – 46 in / 42 in
• Ball Bearings – 8 + 1
• MSRP – $599.99

The newly redesigned Talica 20IIA and 25IIA aim to set a new industry benchmark for medium-sized 2-speed lever drag reels. These reels have been engineered to deliver ultra-smooth reeling and a powerful but smooth drag system. Also featuring the Infinity Drive system these reels put out a ton of drag power at 50 pounds and requires up to 40% less reeling force. That way anglers can maintain control and power through even the toughest of fights.  Additionally, the Talica 20IIA and 25IIA have a Light-Line Drag Cam with a lower drag curve for fishing for billfish and use in lighter-line applications. The new Talica IIA comes in two models the Talica 20IIA and 25IIA, both being two-speed reels with a high gear of 5.1:1 and a low gear of 1.9:1 . The MSRP of the 20IIA is $699.99 and the 25IIA is $719.99.

Features – Shimano Talica 20IIA & 25IIA

• Infinity Drive: Drastically reduces rotational torque, constructing a reel that can actively wind under heavy loads.
• S-Compact Body: Power, rigidity, and durability result in a reel that feels one size smaller in your hand. The B-side sideplate is all one piece, contributing to both rigidity and in-the-hand palming comfort. The A-side sideplate has the handle, drag adjustment, and cast control knob.
• HAGANE Body: A reel body with high rigidity, which virtually eliminates body flexing due to its stiffness and impact resistance. The result? An angler’s actions are more efficiently transformed into cranking power. It’s efficiency through strength.
• Super Free Spool: Eliminates friction on the spool shaft, the pinion gear and spool shaft are kept in perfect alignment to result in zero friction on the spool shaft.
• Cross Carbon Drag: Allows for a wider range of drag settings, enhanced drag washer durability, and the smoothest Shimano drag performance ever.
• X-Protect: By combining a water-repellent coating and a specially designed water-channeling labyrinth construction, X-Protect provides high-level water resistance without adding weight or sacrificing light rotor rotation.
• Gear Ratio – 5.2
• Max Drag – 44 lb
• Weight – 32.4 oz / 33.5
• PowerPro Line Cap – 65-725, 80-575, 100-435 / 65-1010.80-730, 100-470
• Line Retrieve Per Crank – 47 in
• Ball Bearings – 6 + 1
• MSRP – $699.99 / $719.99

Special thanks to the Shimano staff here at ICAST 2024, and stick around for more ICAST coverage. Also, let us know your thoughts in the comments below, we appreciate your feedback.

Eugene L.

Writer for AllOutdoor.com and OutdoorHub.com A lifelong angler that chases after anything with fins, I also am firearms enthusiast and try my best when it comes to hunting. Instagram – mrfish49