Shimano Saragosa SW A: every size from 5000 to 25000 compared
Illustrative image, not the exact model.
Shimano calls the Saragosa SW a saltwater workhorse for inshore or offshore fishing, from jigging bottom fish to casting baits. The current US version, the Saragosa SW A, has an IPX8-rated waterproof body and comes in eight sizes from the 5000XG to the 25000, priced at $324.99 to $464.99.
If you searched for the 'Shimano Saragosa', this is the reel: Shimano's current US spinning list has no Saragosa without the SW tag, only this SW A and a billfish-specific Saragosa SW BFC A. The sections below group the sizes by frame, explain the XG, HG and PG labels, and place the Saragosa between the Spheros SW and TwinPower SW in Shimano's lineup.
Shimano Saragosa SW A sizes and specs
| Model | Size | Gear ratio | Line/turn | Weight | Max drag | Bearings | Mono (lb/yd) | Braid (lb/yd) | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SRG5000SWAXG | 5000 | 6.2:1 | 41" | 15.9 oz451 g | 22 lb10 kg | 5+1 | 10/240, 12/195, 14/165 | 20/245, 30/225, 40/175 | $324.99 |
| SRG6000SWAHG | 6000 | 5.7:1 | 41" | 16 oz454 g | 22 lb10 kg | 5+1 | 12/265, 16/170, 20/120 | 30/295, 50/195, 65/140 | $324.99 |
| SRG8000SWAHG | 8000 | 5.6:1 | 42" | 23.8 oz675 g | 35 lb15.9 kg | 5+1 | 14/300, 16/250, 20/185 | 40/340, 50/265, 65/215 | $344.99 |
| SRG10000SWAPG | 10000 | 4.9:1 | 40" | 24.3 oz689 g | 33 lb15 kg | 5+1 | 16/320, 20/220, 25/175 | 50/360, 65/290, 80/215 | $364.99 |
| SRG14000SWAXG | 14000 | 6.2:1 | 53" | 24.7 oz700 g | 33 lb15 kg | 5+1 | 16/360, 20/260, 25/190 | 50/400, 65/315, 80/240 | $364.99 |
| SRG18000SWAHG | 18000 | 5.7:1 | 51" | 32.3 oz916 g | 49 lb22.2 kg | 6+1 | 20/415, 25/340, 30/280 | 50/600, 65/440, 80/360 | $414.99 |
| SRG20000SWAPG | 20000 | 4.4:1 | 41" | 33 oz936 g | 49 lb22.2 kg | 6+1 | 20/460, 25/380, 30/320 | 65/490, 80/400, 100/340 | $464.99 |
| SRG25000SWA | 25000 | 4.4:1 | 45" | 33.9 oz961 g | 44 lb20 kg | 6+1 | 20/570, 25/490, 30/360 | 65/630, 80/520, 100/440 | $464.99 |
Choosing a Saragosa SW size
Shimano does not assign species to each size, but the spec chart falls into three clear frames. Within each frame, weight barely changes, so the choice is really about gear ratio and line capacity.
- 5000XG and 6000HG (15.9 and 16 oz, 22 lb drag): the lightest Saragosas. The 5000XG is the faster reel at 6.2:1 and is rated for 10 to 14 lb mono; the 6000HG gives up a little speed for far more capacity, with braid ratings up to 65 lb.
- 8000HG, 10000PG and 14000XG (23.8 to 24.7 oz, 33 to 35 lb drag): one frame, three speeds. The 10000PG is the power-gear (low ratio) model at 4.9:1, and the 14000XG at 6.2:1 has the longest retrieve in the series at 53 in per turn.
- 18000HG, 20000PG and 25000 (32.3 to 33.9 oz): the big-game frame with 6+1 bearings. The 20000PG and 25000 share a 4.4:1 ratio; the 25000 holds the most line, rated for 100 lb braid at 440 yd.
Saragosa SW vs Saragosa SW A
The earlier US Saragosa SW was sold in 5000, 6000, 8000, 10000, 20000 and 25000 sizes. The SW A, which TackleTour listed among Shimano's ICAST 2020 updates, added Infinity Drive, a low-friction main-shaft support that Shimano says increases winding torque under load compared with the predecessor, and filled the gaps with a 14000XG and an 18000HG.
The rest of the SW A's construction is the sealed saltwater package Shimano lists on the official page: HAGANE Body and HAGANE Gear, X-Shield gaskets and X-Protect labyrinth sealing, and a waterproof Cross Carbon drag.
Saragosa vs Spheros SW and TwinPower SW
The Spheros SW A ($177.99 to $237.99) shares a lot of the Saragosa's spec sheet: Infinity Drive, HAGANE Body, X-Protect, X-Shield, Cross Carbon drag and an IPX8 body. On paper the Saragosa's extra money buys more bearings (5+1 or 6+1 versus 4+1), a higher top drag (49 lb versus 40 lb), and a 25000 size the Spheros does not offer.
Above the Saragosa, the TwinPower SW C ($604.99 to $754.99) is the step for hard-fighting offshore game fish, with X-Tough Drag, a Heatsink drag on the 10000 and 14000, and up to 55 lb of drag. The TwinPower page explains how that SW model differs from the TwinPower FE.
Saragosa SW generations (US model codes)
| Code | US year | What changed |
|---|---|---|
| Saragosa SW SW | — | US models (from Shimano's US parts listing): SRG5000SW, SRG6000SW, SRG8000SW, SRG10000SW, SRG20000SW, SRG25000SW. |
| Saragosa SW SW A | 2020 | Added Infinity Drive. Shimano says winding torque under load increased compared with the predecessor (official US description). Added the 14000XG and 18000HG sizes, which are not in the previous SW parts listing. TackleTour's ICAST 2020 coverage lists "upgrades Saragosa SW reels" among Shimano's ICAST 2020 launches. |
Official videos
Where to buy the Shimano Saragosa SW A
Related comparisons
FAQ
What is the difference between the Shimano Saragosa and Saragosa SW?
In the current US lineup they are the same product: Shimano sells it as the Saragosa SW, and the current generation is the Saragosa SW A. The separate Saragosa SW BFC A is a single 14000-size model built for billfish.
Which Saragosa SW size has the most drag?
The 18000HG and 20000PG, both rated at 49 lb on Shimano's US spec chart. Shimano's online store lists those two at 44 lb, the same figure the chart gives the 25000; we use the official chart.
Is the Saragosa SW waterproof?
Shimano's official page states an IPX8-rated waterproof body, sealed with X-Shield gaskets and X-Protect, and a waterproof Cross Carbon drag.
Saragosa SW 5000 or 6000: which is better?
They weigh almost the same and share a 22 lb drag rating. The 5000XG is faster at 6.2:1; the 6000HG at 5.7:1 holds much more line and is rated for heavier braid. Pick by the line you plan to run.
What do XG, HG and PG mean on the Saragosa?
They are Shimano gear-ratio labels: XG is extra-high gear, HG high gear and PG power gear (a low ratio for cranking power). On the Saragosa SW A, XG is 6.2:1, HG ranges from 5.6:1 to 5.7:1, and PG is 4.9:1 or 4.4:1.
Sources (3)
Specs and facts on this page come from the manufacturers' published specifications and the pages below, checked on 2026-10-11. We have not hands-on tested these reels; this is a spec-based comparison.