The Shimano Ocea Jigger CT is a big conventional jigging reel with a line counter, due in November 2026. If you can't decide, take the 2500HG: gear ratio 6.2, 670m of PE #3, list price JPY 98,000 (excl. tax).
The Gear Nerd's Pick
It has a counter and still weighs less than the Ocea Jigger, with a lower palming cup. Max drag goes up, the handle gets longer and the knob bigger. A tool that puts depth in numbers now winds harder too. That's why I'd pick the 2500HG, which covers everything from nearshore blue-water fish to mid-deep water on one reel.
Key points
- Three models in November, three ending in 1 in December
- List price JPY 96,000–98,000 (excl. tax)
- Drag 10 → 12kg and handle +8mm vs the Ocea Jigger
When does the Ocea Jigger CT come out, and what does it cost?
Due in November 2026. The three models ending in 1 (2001HG, 2501MG, 2501HG) come in December. List price is JPY 96,000–98,000 (excl. tax). Shimano's big jigging-only conventional reel, the Ocea Jigger, now has a version with a counter.
Swipe the table sideways →
| Model | Gear ratio / retrieve | Weight / drag | PE capacity | List price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000HG | 6.2 / 117cm | 590g / 12kg | PE #3-500m | JPY 96,000 |
| 2500MG | 5.7 / 107cm | 605g / 13kg | PE #3-670m | JPY 98,000 |
| 2500HG | 6.2 / 117cm | 605g / 12kg | PE #3-670m | JPY 98,000 |
How I judged it
With 30 years of fishing behind me, jigging included, what I worry about in a big counter reel is weight and how easy it is to grip. Numbers on a display mean little if the reel gets heavy after a full day of working the jig.
The CT trims exactly that. It is lighter than the Ocea Jigger, and the palming cup is 2.4mm lower than before. Shimano says it is more compact than reels without a counter. This is the best part.
The 2500HG has a 6.2 gear ratio, 117cm per crank and 670m of PE #3. It covers nearshore blue-water fish, mid-deep water, yellowfin and albacore on one reel. My pick is the 2500HG. A buy.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Shimano Ocea Jigger CT 2500HG
Pre-release: available from Nov 1What does a counter change?
The big value is seeing depth as a number. Compare the fish finder's depth with the reel's readout and you can tell how the current is carrying the line. Even when you target yellowfin and albacore in mid-water, you don't have to keep watching the line colors, so there is less effort and less error, and you can repeat the depth you want.
One mechanism worth knowing. This reel has no level wind. If the spot where your finger guides the line differs between line-learning and actual fishing, the readout drifts. Shimano notes this itself. Before you trust the number, it is worth knowing.
It takes a CR1632. To keep the body small, Shimano chose a cell smaller than the old CR2032. Expect about 10 trips with normal use.
What changed from the Ocea Jigger?
| Item | Ocea Jigger 2000NRHG | CT 2000HG |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 595g | 590g |
| Max drag | 10kg | 12kg |
| PE capacity | PE #3-400m | PE #3-500m |
| Retrieve per crank | 117cm | 117cm |
| List price | JPY 62,000 | JPY 96,000 |
Doing the math: drag relative to reel weight is 10 ÷ 0.595 = about 16.8kg for the Ocea Jigger and 12 ÷ 0.590 = about 20.3kg for the CT. It carries a counter and still adds power without adding weight. Winding 100m takes 10000 ÷ 117 = about 86 turns (10000 ÷ 107 = about 94 turns for the 2500MG).
- Handle: 8mm longer than before, so it is easier to put power in. The handle knob is 6mm bigger
- Star drag: 4mm larger in diameter and thicker, so it is easier to tighten
- Silent Drive: cuts rattle in the rotation for a more direct winding feel
- Knob waterproofing: same design as the 25 Stella SW, which limits salt seizure
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Shimano Ocea Jigger CT 2000HG
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 81,450 (as of Oct 19). Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaThings to watch
This part is so-so. The price. Compared in the same 2000 size, it costs JPY 34,000 more than the Ocea Jigger. Whether the counter plus the stronger handle and drag are worth that is the deciding line.
One more thing. The Bluetooth link to the next-generation Tankenmaru is still in development, with details to come soon. Don't assume it all works at launch; waiting for Shimano's announcement seems wise.
Three models come out in November: the 2000HG, 2500MG and 2500HG. The ones ending in 1 are in December, so mind the dates if you are weighing how they handle.
Who is the Ocea Jigger CT for?
- Anglers who want depth as a number for blue-water or mid-deep jigging
- Anglers who want to repeat mid-water depth for yellowfin and albacore
- Anglers who worried about the weight and awkward grip of counter reels
If you don't need a counter and want to keep the price down, the Ocea Jigger without one is another route. For a rod, see the review of the 26 Ocea Jigger ∞; for gear ratios, how to choose a reel gear ratio; for the line, how to choose PE line size.
Release dates for other new gear are on the fishing gear release calendar.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Shimano Ocea Jigger CT 2500MG
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 82,350 (as of Oct 19). Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaFAQ
When does the Ocea Jigger CT come out?
The 2000HG, 2500MG and 2500HG are due in November 2026. The 2001HG, 2501MG and 2501HG, whose model numbers end in 1, follow in December.
How is the Ocea Jigger CT different from the Ocea Jigger?
The counter is the big difference. In the same 2000 size, max drag rises from 10kg to 12kg and PE capacity grows from #3-400m to #3-500m. The handle is 8mm longer.
How long does the Ocea Jigger CT battery last?
It takes a CR1632 and lasts about 10 trips with normal use. The battery is replaceable.
