Company: Shimano Inc. · Headquarters: Sakai, Osaka, Japan · US arm: Shimano North America Fishing · Category: Slow pitch and butterfly jigs
Shimano’s jigs are how many American anglers first try slow pitch. The Butterfly name launched the flutter-jig boom in the US, and today’s lineup, the Ocea Stinger Butterfly Sardine Waver, Butterfly Flat-Fall and Butterfly Flat-Side, covers the range from dedicated slow pitch to classic vertical jigging. They’re widely stocked and reasonably priced, from about $12 to $27 a jig. You’ll find them in far more Florida tackle shops than the Japanese boutique brands.
This review explains each Shimano jig, the action it’s built for, weights and colors, and how to fish them on Florida ledges. For Shimano’s slow pitch reels and rods, see our Ocea Jigger reel review and Shimano Slow Pitch Rods review.
Company overview
Shimano is a Japanese tackle and cycling manufacturer headquartered in Sakai, Osaka. Its US fishing business, Shimano North America Fishing, sells jigs through a very large dealer network, which is the main practical advantage over smaller Japanese jig makers.
At a glance
| Parent | Shimano Inc., Sakai, Osaka, Japan |
| US distributor | Shimano North America Fishing |
| Slow pitch / butterfly jigs | Ocea Stinger Butterfly Sardine Waver, Butterfly Flat-Fall, Butterfly Flat-Side |
| Weight range | 80 g – 350 g |
| US price range | about $12 – $27 per jig |
| Standout tech | SCALE BOOST finishes, glow colors |
Ocea Stinger Butterfly Sardine Waver
Price: $15.99 (Shimano US)
Weights: 130 g (4⅝ oz) · 180 g (6⅜ oz) · 250 g (8⅞ oz)
Action: A “boat-like keel at the rear” gives it “three random, unique actions as it falls: backsliding, wobbling, and a forward-and-backward slide,” imitating a wounded baitfish. That unpredictable fall is exactly what slow pitch is about. Strikes come as the jig tumbles back down after each lift.
Colors: The Purist, Silver Zebra Glow, Green Gold Glow, Sardine Flake, Red Zebra Glow, Camp Fire, Candy Killer, Pink Silver Glow, Kraken and New Moon. Some use Shimano’s SCALE BOOST finish or glow for visibility in deep, dark water.
Images: Shimano
Florida use: The 180 g and 250 g sizes suit most Florida grouper and snapper ledges in moderate current. The 130 g is for shallower water or slack tide.
Also sold at: Mudhole and Tackle World.
Butterfly Flat-Fall
Price: about $15–$27 depending on size
Weights: six sizes from 80 g (2.82 oz) to 350 g (12.35 oz), 3.74″ to 5.51″ long
Action: A center-balanced jig that “falls with a wobbling action in a horizontal position.” Lying flat as it sinks, it stays in the strike zone longer than a standard butterfly jig. Shimano recommends free-spooling to the target depth, cranking up about 30 feet, and repeating. It can also be cast and allowed to fall on free spool. Strikes typically come on the drop.
Colors: Black Anchovy, Blue Sardine, Chart White, Green Silver, Pink Blue, Purple Silver, Super Glow and Zebra Glow.
Images: Shimano
Florida use: The slow horizontal fall is deadly on snapper and grouper on ledges in light to moderate current. The 350 g size reaches deeper ledges.
Butterfly Flat-Side
Price: $15.99–$22.99 retail (seen at $11.99–$17.24 on sale at Fishfield)
Weights: 112 g · 140 g · 168 g · 224 g · 280 g
Action: It “falls to the bottom quickly with a swinging motion,” thanks to rear/center weight balance. It’s built for vertical jigging from drifting boats. The offset eye lets you rig two different hook styles for better hookups.
Colors: Blue Sardine, Green Silver, Black Silver, Pink Silver, Brown Silver, Chart Silver, White Silver, Orange Gold, Super Glow and Zebra Glow.
Florida use: When the current is running and you need to get down fast, for example amberjack on deep wrecks, the Flat-Side’s quick drop beats the flatter-falling jigs.
Choosing a Shimano jig
| Conditions | Shimano pick | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Classic slow pitch, fish striking on the fall | Ocea Stinger Butterfly Sardine Waver | 180–250 g |
| Snapper and grouper that want a long horizontal fall | Butterfly Flat-Fall | 150–350 g |
| Strong current, fast drops, amberjack | Butterfly Flat-Side | 168–280 g |
| Light tackle, shallower ledges | Flat-Fall or Sardine Waver | 80–130 g |
Weight by depth: A common rule of thumb is about 1 gram per meter of depth in light current, going heavier as current increases. At 60 m (about 200 ft), start around 150–200 g. At 100 m (about 330 ft), start around 250 g and adjust until the jig drops close to vertically.
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How to fish them
Slow pitch (Sardine Waver). Drop to the bottom, engage, and work the jig with short rod lifts and a quarter to half turn of the handle each time, letting the rod’s recoil throw the jig. Pause and let it fall on a controlled line. That’s when the keel-driven backslide and wobble trigger strikes.
Flat-fall (Flat-Fall). Shimano’s own method: free-spool to depth, crank up about 30 feet, then let it flutter back. Watch the line on the fall, because a sudden slack or tick means a fish has eaten the jig.
Vertical jigging (Flat-Side). Faster, sharper lifts from a drifting boat. Its quick swinging drop keeps it near the bottom in current.
Hooks and leaders. Rig assist hooks to suit your target. Two short assists at the top suit grouper and snapper. Use a fluorocarbon leader (40–80 lb for most Florida bottom fish) to protect against teeth and structure.
Choosing colors for deep water
Color matters less as you go deeper, because water filters out red and orange light first, then yellow and green. By 200–300 feet, most natural light is blue and dim. Shimano’s range covers this:
- Glow finishes (Silver Zebra Glow, Red Zebra Glow, Pink Silver Glow, Super Glow, Zebra Glow) give off their own light, and they’re the first choice for deep ledges, early mornings and cloudy days.
- SCALE BOOST and flash finishes (Sardine Flake, The Purist) reflect what light there is, and work best in clearer water and brighter conditions at moderate depths.
- Dark or contrasting colors (Black Anchovy, New Moon) give a strong silhouette against the lighter water above, which helps when fish are looking up at the jig.
A practical Florida box: one glow, one flash and one dark color in each weight you fish. Change color before you change jig when the bites slow down.
Pairing with rods and reels
- Rods: a slow pitch rod rated for your jig weight, such as the Shimano Game Type Slow J (up to 330–500 g) or Temple Reef models.
- Reels: a compact conventional with smooth drag, such as the Shimano Ocea Jigger or Accurate Valiant SPJ.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Widely available across the US through Shimano’s dealer network
- Affordable at about $12–$27 per jig
- Three clearly different actions: slow pitch tumble, horizontal flat-fall, fast swinging drop
- Wide weight range from 80 g to 350 g
- Glow and SCALE BOOST finishes for deep water
Cons
- The Sardine Waver only goes up to 250 g in the US, which limits it for very deep, strong-current days
- The Japanese boutique brands (Seafloor Control, Deepliner) offer more specialized actions and heavier options
- Hook details vary by model, so check before you rig
Shimano vs. other slow pitch jig brands
| Brand | Price per jig | Weight range | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shimano | about $12–$27 | 80–350 g | Very wide |
| Seafloor Control | $21.49–$50.49 (Arc) | 90–500 g | Specialist shops |
| Deepliner | $27.99–$42.99 | 200–500 g (FB to 900 g) | Specialist shops |
Where to buy Shimano slow pitch jigs
Manufacturer / US distributor
– Shimano North America Fishing: Ocea Stinger Butterfly Sardine Waver · Butterfly Flat-Fall
US retailers
– Mudhole: Sardine Waver · mudhole.com
– Tackle World: Sardine Waver · tackleworld.com
– Fishfield: Butterfly Flat-Fall and Flat-Side · fishfield.com
– Amazon: Shimano Butterfly jigs
Buy online (Amazon)
Verdict
Shimano’s jigs are the easiest way into slow pitch: affordable, widely stocked and built around three clear actions. The Ocea Stinger Butterfly Sardine Waver is the true slow pitch jig with its keel-driven fall, the Butterfly Flat-Fall keeps a horizontal flutter in front of snapper and grouper, and the Butterfly Flat-Side gets down fast in current. For very deep, strong-current days you may want heavier Japanese specialist jigs, but a box of Shimano jigs in 150–250 g covers most Florida slow pitch.
Deep-Drop.com rating: Value 5/5 · Availability 5/5 · Action variety 4.5/5 · Range for deep water 3.5/5
FAQ
What is the best Shimano jig for slow pitch?
The Ocea Stinger Butterfly Sardine Waver ($15.99), with a rear keel that backslides, wobbles and slides forward and back as it falls.
What weights does the Shimano Butterfly Flat-Fall come in?
Six sizes from 80 g to 350 g, priced about $15–$27.
How do you fish the Shimano Flat-Fall?
Shimano recommends free-spooling to depth, cranking up about 30 feet, and repeating. Most strikes come on the fall.
Where can I buy Shimano slow pitch jigs?
From Shimano North America’s store and retailers including Mudhole, Tackle World and Fishfield.
Details were checked against Shimano North America product pages and US retailer listings on September 25, 2026.