Difference of Shimano Ocea Jigger 1000, 2000 and 4000 series

 

Shimano Ocea jigger series is my favorite overhead reel. I started using Ocea jigger `F custom 2000NRHG. F stands for fall lever and NR stands for right hand. HG stands for high gear ratio.

The other gear ratio are power (PG) and extra high gear (XG). 

When do I use them? When I fish in Dubai and Abu Dhabi the water depth is around 20 to 35 meters. The line capacity of 200 meters is more than sufficient. So, I use the 1000 reel. It provides 7 KG drag. I spool it with 1.5 PE. With the depth being low the impacts from big fish ( if we hook one!!) could be very high. So, I am afraid to go any lower than 1.5 PE. I know some experienced anglers are using .6 PE on an ultralight setup.

When we fish at Fujairah or Khorfakkan the water depth in jigging areas from 100 meters up to 220 meters. Up to 120-150 meters and 300 Ocea jigger 2000 is perfect to use. Anything higher than 130 meters and above 300 grams jig I start using Ocea jigger 4000.  Ocea jigger 2000 has 10 kgs drag. I have spooled them 1.5 and 2 PE sunline ULT. It can hold 600 meters 2 PE. Whilst the 4000 series can hold over 1200 meter if spooled with 2 PE or less. I have used good amount of back to keep the spool larger for easy retrieval.

Please let me know if you have any questions !

Why do we need drag on fishing reel

 Drag is the resistance in reel which make it’s hard for the fish to pull the line. It can be adjusted. There is star or lever type drag on overhead reels.

When you jig or cast, and the fish takes the bait it starts running to save its life. If we do not put some resistance, they can pull all the line we have on reel. Large predator fish can easily overpower us. So, we need to tire them quickly to get them to the boat. The drag assists us to tire the fish.

Say for example I can run at speed of 8 kilometer for 10 minutes continuously. But if I carry a 5-kilo bag, I may not be able to run 10 minutes. I will tire soon probably I may run 5 minutes if I am strong. Same principle applies to fishing. When we set the drag to at 30% of the line strength that means when the fish runs it carries so much weight. A 15 kg strength line we will set 5 kg drag. Every time fish takes line it is carrying 5 kgs. So, they get tired fast. When we reel after they get tired and follow the line easily. Usually, they start fighting more when they see the boat. Such sudden impact on the line can snap the line. so, as you get the fish closer to the boat, we need to reduce the drag. It is heartbreaking to lose the fish when you’re almost landing the fish.

The drag helps us fight and land large fish very effectively

What Is PE braid Line

 

    PE braid is  fishing line made from a material called polyethylene (PE). It is also commonly referred to as braided line or simply "braid." It is constructed by weaving multiple strands together resulting in a strong and thin line.

The number of strands and the weaving pattern can vary, affecting the line's overall strength and stretch. Many braided lines often have more strands, resulting in a smoother and rounder profile.

The key advantages of PE braid is its high strength-to-diameter ratio. It is considerably stronger compared to monofilament or fluorocarbon lines of the same diameter. This allows anglers to use thinner lines with increased strength, providing greater jigging depth and improved sensitivity to detect subtle bites.

PE braid also has minimal stretch, which means that it transmits even the slightest movements and vibrations from the fishing rod to the angler's hand, resulting in improved sensitivity and better hook sets. During high current situations jigging could not be possible as any action feels like stretching a rubber band. During such conditions we do not want to have the braid to stretch. If the braid stretches, then that would cancel any action on the jig. Remember moving the jig is the primary motive and in high current and high drift of boat this could be challenging.

The biggest disadvantage of PE braid is low abrasion resistance. If the PE rubs with anything it will break. There are two places it can rub. One is at the reef or rocks at the bottom of the seafloor. Other is boat when the fish is running. To avoid this, we need to have a leader or fluorocarbon with sufficient length.

Also due to lack of stretch any sudden impact can break PE. A fluorocarbon leader will absorb any sudden shock.

PE braid strength is provided by the manufacturer in lbs or kgs or by size . Example of a PE JIGGER ULT 4 BRAID SPJ is given below

Overall, PE braid is a versatile and durable fishing line choice that offers significant advantages in terms of strength, sensitivity, and reduced stretch allowing greater depths of jigging.

#slowpitchJigging # Jigging #Deepseafishing #offshore fishing# PEline #PEbraid

What is Slow pitch Jigging

 Slow pitch jigging is a fishing technique which involves using a metal jig and special rod to move the jig. The technique involves in creating a mimic of an injured bait fish. The jigs used are heavy metal in various shapes. Slow pitch means the jig is pitched slowly by the rod to imitate the bait fish.

This was developed by Sato Sensei a Japanese angler. I am mentored by Totos of Japanese anglers secrets.

Slow pitch jigging (SPJ) is different from fast jigging. In fast jigging the jig imitates a escaping bait unlike a injured fish in SPJ.

This technique can attract all kinds of fish. In bottom fishing you will need keep using shrimps of cut fish. They do not attract large predatory fishes. Also, fishing is limited to sea floor. In SPJ complete sea column can be fished. If the sonar or fish finder says fish is at 100 meters depth you can right go to 120 to 80 meters and jig and target the fish.

I have got Amberjacks, Long tail Tuna, yellow fin tuna, red snappers, ruby snappers, Bonitos, Trevally’s and even sultan Ibrahim on jigs.

This technique can entice the fish for an easy prey. Remember food is scare at deep waters.

#slowpitchJigging # Jigging #Deepseafishing #offshore fishing