Shimano North America Fishing Pro Staffer Benny Ortiz Wins Inaugural I.J.C.A. Jigging Tournament
Specialized tackle systems and precise presentations lead to victory
July 19, 2023 – Charleston, SC – Shimano North America Fishing is thrilled to announce that Pro Staffer and slow pitch jigging pioneer Benny Ortiz and team won the inaugural I.J.C.A. Jigging Tournament held on Saturday, July 15th through Sunday, July 16th in the Gulf of Mexico. Fishing out of Bradenton, Florida, Ortiz took top angler honors by landing 34 fish on Shimano’s SHIMMERFALL line of jigs, while battling a strong Gulf Coast current.
“I could not be more proud to be a part of this exciting new tournament jigging format,” says Benny Ortiz. “A critical part of my success involved matching the right gear to fit the conditions on the water. Shimano has developed specialized tackle systems to cater to the dedicated slow pitch angler, and there is no substitute for using the highest quality gear possible.”
“I could not be more proud to be a part of this exciting new tournament jigging format,” says Benny Ortiz. “A critical part of my success involved matching the right gear to fit the conditions on the water. There is no substitute for using the highest quality gear possible. Shimano has developed specialized tackle systems to cater to the slow pitch angler. As I’ve detailed before, the SHIMMERFALL Jig is a great example of the brand’s dedication to innovative application-specific design.”
Ortiz paired a medium Game Type Slow J Shimano rod with a Shimano 2000NRPG Ocea Jigger reel spooled with a 20 lb. PowerPro braid comprising the mainline. Fish heavily keyed into the sliding action of the sardine and sand eel patterned 140g and 170g Shimano SHIMMERFALL Jig, primarily in the 160 ft to 275 ft depth range.
Early in the tournament, Ortiz determined that pitching the jig down current, away from the boat, and working back to vertical, was critical to eliciting high-quality bites. A steady mix of red grouper, red snapper, yellow eye snapper, and blackfin tuna were among the winning tally.
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About Shimano North America Fishing:
Since 1970, Shimano has been a global manufacturer of industry-leading fishing tackle systems built for anglers compelled by experiences on the water. Shimano designs, manufactures, and markets a deep lineup of angling-specific products focused on promoting health and happiness through the enjoyment of nature and the world around us. The company proudly maintains a portfolio of four consumer-preferred brands: Shimano, G.Loomis, Jackall, and PowerPro. You can learn more at https://fish.shimano.com/en-US or follow on social @fish_shimano_north_america/, @fishgloomis, @jackall_usa, and @fishpowerpro.
