Best Rod Setups for Redfish, Trout, Snook & Flounder
- By: Pat Ogletree
- on
Picking the right rod for inshore fishing shouldn’t be complicated…
But walk into a tackle shop (or scroll online for 10 minutes), and it’s easy to get overwhelmed.
That’s why Pat broke it all down in this video—the 3 rod setups every inshore angler needs to catch redfish, trout, snook, and flounder.
Here’s the quick recap:
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The Finesse Setup:
Perfect for soft plastics, small shrimp lures, and spooky trout on calm days.
👉 Check out the Slam Stick – Medium Light -
The Workhorse Setup:
Your go-to for 90% of inshore fishing—topwaters, paddle tails, jerk shads, and more.
👉 Grab the Slam Stick – Medium -
The Big Fish Setup:
Need backbone for jetties, heavy structure, or over-slot snook and reds? This one’s it.
👉 Explore the Slot Machine – Medium Heavy
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What’s your go-to inshore setup?
Drop a comment and let us know which rod combo you trust the most (and why). We’d love to hear what’s working for you in your waters!
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STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
great
Great info- thanks Pat!
Hey Pat, this really helped! My question is, I’m land locked for 6-7 months of the year, should I practice my casting (I go to the park) with each rod that I set up differently for the different uses if this makes sense?
Thanks as always,
Don
That is a great thing to do! I highly recommend everyone to practice their casting and especially if they are going to be off the water for an extended time.
This is what I’m planning on using for my future fishing ventures, again thank you for your help Pat!
Finesse/Lighter setup: Slam Stick Med Light w/ Fuego 2500 and 8lb braid. Weight 11.5 oz
All Purpose set up: Slot Machine Med w/ Fuego 2500 and 10lb braid. Weight 11.3 oz
All Purpose set up: Slam Stick Med w/ Otis 2500 and 10lb braid. Weight 12.2 oz
Heavy Work Horse set up: TFO Pro Med Heavy w/ Fuego 3000 and 15 lb braid. Weight 12.7oz
Also, just re watched the video! What are the different color tapes on your heavy power rod used for?
Hey Pat. I just have medium rods. I caught a 26.5” Red using my medium Rod with a Fat Lipper. Will that set up continue to work or do I have to upgrade to heavy to work the Fat Lipper more efficiently?
No, you don’t have to, that Medium does a lot of things well. But if you had a MH rod that’s the one that I would use with the Fat Lipper. Now if you use the Skinny Lipper XL, I would recommend a MH rod for that.
Nicely done Pat. You are really getting these videos down “pat” lol. I may have to get a Slam Stick with all my TFO Pros.
That Slam Stick is a great rod! If you ever feel the need to upgrade, that would be one to look at
Why does he keep saying 71/2 it’s 7/6
7 1/2 foot length, same as 7 foot 6 inches. Either way is correct.
Great info Pat🎣
Thanks Terry!
Thanks for the info and advice. I do have the medium setup and will be adding the other two soon. Thanks again and Tight Lines!!! 🎣🎣🎣
Let us know what you think when you try them!
Awesome video, thanks Pat! Wish I would have seen this before I purchased a bunch of other inshore rods! It really breaks down all of the details needed for inshore salt water fishing setups for most scenario’s! I just received my new SLAM STICKS yesterday! One med light and one med, I can’t wait to use them. BTW insiders, I do have a Slot Machine in med and love it, all are paired with the Fuego 2500’s or the Otis 2500.
Don, me too! I went through a lot of wrong equipment until I found Salt Strong and they set me right!
I love my Slot Machines but dollar for dollar, you can’t beat those Slam Sticks. Let us know how you like them.
Update, just received my Fuego 3000 today, that’s going on my TFO Pro Medium Heavy! Woohoo!
That’s what I have on mine! You’ll enjoy it for sure!
Best breakdown of set-ups I’ve heard online. The other rod set up I like is when I’m around big bridge piling. I like to have a Heavy to even extra heavy jigging rod and a 4000 sz reel for pulling up (or, trying to pull up) big grouper. 30lb braid and 40+ flouro leader
That’s a good one John! No wimpy equipment for a game of tug of war with a grouper!