Shimano Sedona FJ: sizes, specs and the step up to Sahara or Nasci
Illustrative image, not the exact model.
The Sedona FJ is the least expensive reel in Shimano's US spinning lineup whose official feature list leads with cold-forged HAGANE Gear. The current generation adds SilentDrive to the HAGANE Gear, Propulsion spool lip and G-Free Body the Sedona already had, and lists at $89.99 for the 500 through C3000 and $99.99 for the 4000 and C5000.
Below we cover how the six sizes differ in practice, what the FJ dropped from the previous FI lineup, and whether the next reels up in Shimano's lineup, the Sahara FJ and Nasci FD, add enough on paper to justify the extra money.
Shimano Sedona FJ sizes and specs
| Model | Size | Gear ratio | Line/turn | Weight | Max drag | Bearings | Mono (lb/yd) | Braid (lb/yd) | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE500FJ | 500 | 5.6:1 | 27" | 6 oz170 g | 7 lb3.2 kg | 3+1 | 2/190, 4/100, 6/60 | 5/135, 8/105, 10/65 | $89.99 |
| SE1000FJC | 1000 | 5:1 | 26" | 7.6 oz215 g | 7 lb3.2 kg | 3+1 | 2/270, 4/160, 6/110 | 10/95, 15/75, 20/65 | $89.99 |
| SE1000FJ | 1000 | 5:1 | 26" | 7.6 oz215 g | 7 lb3.2 kg | 3+1 | 2/270, 4/160, 6/110 | 10/95, 15/75, 20/65 | $89.99 |
| SE2500HGFJC | 2500 | 6.2:1 | 36" | 8.5 oz241 g | 20 lb9.1 kg | 3+1 | 8/140, 10/120 | 10/150, 15/145, 30/100 | $89.99 |
| SE2500HGFJ | 2500 | 6.2:1 | 36" | 8.5 oz241 g | 20 lb9.1 kg | 3+1 | 8/140, 10/120 | 10/150, 15/145, 30/100 | $89.99 |
| SEC3000HGFJC | C3000 | 6.2:1 | 36" | 8.6 oz244 g | 20 lb9.1 kg | 3+1 | 6/230, 8/170, 10/140 | 10/200, 20/140, 40/105 | $89.99 |
| SEC3000HGFJ | C3000 | 6.2:1 | 36" | 8.6 oz244 g | 20 lb9.1 kg | 3+1 | 6/230, 8/170, 10/140 | 10/200, 20/140, 40/105 | $89.99 |
| SE4000XGFJC | 4000 | 6.2:1 | 39" | 10.2 oz289 g | 24 lb10.9 kg | 3+1 | 10/200, 12/160 | 15/230, 30/180, 50/120 | $99.99 |
| SE4000XGFJ | 4000 | 6.2:1 | 39" | 10.2 oz289 g | 24 lb10.9 kg | 3+1 | 10/200, 12/160 | 15/230, 30/180, 50/120 | $99.99 |
| SEC5000XGFJC | C5000 | 6.2:1 | 41" | 10.9 oz309 g | 24 lb10.9 kg | 3+1 | 12/195, 14/165 | 20/260, 30/235, 40/185 | $99.99 |
| SEC5000XGFJ | C5000 | 6.2:1 | 41" | 10.9 oz309 g | 24 lb10.9 kg | 3+1 | 12/195, 14/165 | 20/260, 30/235, 40/185 | $99.99 |
Sedona 2500 vs C3000 and the other sizes
The SE2500HGFJ and SEC3000HGFJ are close to twins on Shimano's chart: both are 6.2:1 high-gear reels with 20 lb of drag and a 36 in retrieve, and they are within a tenth of an ounce of each other. The difference is the spool. The 2500 is rated for 8 to 10 lb mono, while the C3000 holds 6 lb mono at 230 yd and is rated for braid up to 40 lb. Pick the 2500HG for a lighter mono setup and the C3000HG if you spool braid or want more line in reserve.
At the small end, the 1000 is the outlier: it runs a slower 5:1 ratio and weighs 7.6 oz, noticeably more than the 6 oz 500. At the large end, the 4000XG and C5000XG cost $10 more than the smaller sizes, step up to 24 lb of drag and switch to XG gearing.
- 500: ultralight trout and panfish, rated for 2 to 6 lb mono.
- 1000: still a light-line reel (2 to 6 lb mono) with a 7 lb drag rating, but on a heavier frame than the 500.
- 2500HG and C3000HG: the all-round middle of the range, for bass, walleye and similar fish on 8 to 10 lb line.
- 4000XG and C5000XG: braid ratings up to 50 lb (4000) and 14 lb mono capacity (C5000) for heavier line.
Sedona FE, FI and FJ: what changed
Shimano's US parts listings confirm three Sedona generations sold here. The FE ran from 1000 to C5000; the FI widened the range to a 500 at the bottom and 6000 and 8000 sizes at the top and introduced the HG and XG gear labels on the mid and large sizes. The FJ, which retailers presented at ICAST 2023, added SilentDrive and trimmed the range back to the C5000XG.
If you need a Shimano reel in the 6000 to 8000 class at a similar budget, the FJ no longer covers it; the lowest-priced current option in those sizes is the saltwater Socorro SW ($164.99, sizes 5000 to 10000).
Sedona vs Nexave, Sahara and Nasci
One step below, the Nexave FJ ($62.99 to $69.99) already lists SilentDrive, G-Free Body and Propulsion, plus an Anti-Twist Fin. What the Sedona adds on paper is HAGANE Gear, the cold-forged drive gear Shimano puts at the heart of this reel.
One step above, the Sahara FJ ($104.99 to $119.99) keeps HAGANE Gear and SilentDrive, adds X-Ship and some 4+1 bearing models, and Shimano says it is lighter than the previous Sahara. The Nasci FD ($124.99 to $144.99) is a bigger jump: INFINITYDRIVE, the Anti-Twist Fin, a One-Piece Bail and CoreProtect water resistance, with 5+1 bearings on most sizes.
Sedona generations (US model codes)
| Code | US year | What changed |
|---|---|---|
| Sedona FE | — | US models (from Shimano's US parts listing): SE1000FE, SE2000FE, SE2500FE, SEC3000FE, SE4000FE, SEC5000FE. |
| Sedona FI | — | The US lineup expanded to 500 through 8000: SE500FI, SE1000FI, SE2500HGFI, SEC3000HGFI, SE4000XGFI, SEC5000XGFI, SE6000FI, SE8000FI (Shimano's US parts listing). |
| Sedona FJ | 2023 | Added SilentDrive (the official description says the series "now features" it). Keeps HAGANE Gear, Propulsion and G-Free Body. The US lineup now ends at C5000XG. The 6000 and 8000 sizes from the FI parts listing are not offered. Clam-pack SKUs (C suffix) are listed alongside the standard SKUs on the official chart. |
US vs Japan (JDM) version
In Japan this reel is sold as the 23 Sedona (23セドナ).
- The US Sedona FJ page and Shimano Japan's セドナ page share the global product ID a075f00003s9eq8qai. The Japanese page embeds Shimano's official video "【23AW新製品 スピニングリール】セドナ".
- Shimano Japan lists 14 models: 500, 1000, C2000S, C2000SHG, 2500, 2500HG, 2500S, 2500S PE1010, 2500SDH, C3000, C3000HG, 4000, 4000XG and C5000XG.
- All six US sizes (500, 1000, 2500HG, C3000HG, 4000XG, C5000XG) are also in the Japanese table. The C2000S, C2000SHG, 2500, 2500S, 2500S PE1010, 2500SDH, C3000 and 4000 variants are Japan-only.
- Japan shows no fixed list price for the Sedona ("バリュープライス").
More on Japanese-market models: JDM reels explained.
Official videos
Where to buy the Shimano Sedona FJ
Related comparisons
FAQ
What size Shimano Sedona is best for trout?
The 500 or 1000. Bass Pro's 1Source pairs a Sedona 500 with 4 lb mono for ultralight trout, and both small Sedonas are rated for 2 to 6 lb mono. The 500 is the lighter of the two by Shimano's chart.
Sedona 2500 or C3000: which should I buy?
They share gear ratio, drag and almost the same weight. The 2500HG suits 8 to 10 lb mono; the C3000HG has a deeper spool rated for braid up to 40 lb and holds more light mono.
What does FJ mean on the Shimano Sedona?
FJ is Shimano's generation code. The US Sedona went FE, then FI, then FJ (2023). The code is the last two letters of the model number, as in SE2500HGFJ.
What is the difference between SE2500HGFJ and SE2500HGFJC?
On Shimano's official chart, nothing in the specs or price. The C-suffix SKUs are listed separately with identical numbers; for the related Sahara FJ, Shimano titles the equivalent page 'Clam', consistent with clam-pack versions of the same reel.
Is the Sedona FJ rated for saltwater?
Shimano's US Sedona FJ page does not state freshwater or saltwater positioning. For a budget Shimano reel that is explicitly positioned for saltwater, the lineup offers the Socorro SW and Spheros SW.
Sources (4)
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.