Can the Slam Stick Rod Keep Up with a $300+ Rod? See the Results!
- By: Pat Ogletree
- on
- Found In: Fishing Tips, Inshore Fishing, Tackle & Gear, Rods
Everybody says their rod casts the farthest…
But almost nobody actually tests it.
So we took our Slam Stick rod, at just $150 for Insiders… and tested it against rods up to $300+.
This one factor can instantly double your odds of catching fish.
More distance = more water covered = more fish that never see you coming.
So… did the Slam Stick hang with the $300 rods?
See for yourself in the video below.
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The Test Setup
We set up a fair and straightforward casting distance test with three rods:
- Slam Stick Rod: Designed for inshore anglers, offering premium features at a reasonable price.
- Star Seagis Rod: A reliable mid-range option priced in the $150–$170 range.
- Star VPR Rod: A high-end rod priced over $300, built for top-tier performance.
Each rod used the same reel, line, and lure to ensure consistent testing conditions. With identical specs in length, power, and action, the only difference was the rod itself.
Final Thoughts
Why did the Slam Stick shine? Its high-modulus carbon fiber blank and optimized guide spacing allow for smoother line flow, resulting in impressive distance and pinpoint accuracy.
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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 ever 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).
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).
Get comparison
Love you guys testing and sharing with us!!
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
When I talk about how much I love my st croix rods versus your saltstrong rods its not because of casting distance you see where you Pat and Tony and Luke and Joe all live that do all the fishing coaching reports for saltstrong are All living in areas of Florida where the water clarity is about 98 percent of the time crystal clear which is the total 180 degree opposite from where I live and fish which is northeast fl jacksonville area and because of that I don’t need to cast like almost a 100 yards like you do to be extra stealthy and quiet now thats not to say they don’t spook but what I have found is the average fish here spooks off at about 15 to at the most 20 yards away which I know is much closer then the fish you guys all encounter and my casts are all in a range of about 30 to 40 yards and I also know that if I used lighter line I could cast much further but on all my jigs but 2 have 20 lb power pro and 20 lb inviso line flouro leaders then I have 2 rods rigged with lighter line for finesse applications 10 lb and 15lb which are both rigged with the same pound test flouro leaders and I catch plenty of fish so to get to the point in my area casting distance I have found is not as important as it is in your area and I certainly don’t plan on moving to your area im happy fishing like I have for going on 23 years in the salt until I can’t fish anymore but like I always say I only say what I have experienced and what works for me what others feel or experience is there buissness thanks for your insight and all you do
GGood comments. I live and fish be fla. Also
Well how far they spook is only a part of the picture.
Its not so much for how far the spook or if they can see you. It is almost always getting the bait to where they live.
I cannot count the times I have been on the shore, a pier or jetty and could cast 75 yards but the fish were 85 yards. (distances are just for example so don’t get panties wadded up)
Why you would discount a rods casting distance is beyond me!
Can you do a Black Friday sale on just the rod? All I’ve seen is bundles. Thanks!
Thank you for the testing.. Good video.
On a completely different note – can you test 13 strand vs 8 strand line? KastKing has 13 strand and want to see how far it casts compared to 8.
I too, am a dyed in the wool St Croix fisher, but I gotta say, there is just something about the Slam Stick medium that feels perfect! Maybe it’s because it’s matched with a reel that feels as if it were designed specifically for this rod. Or maybe it just fits my hand better. Maybe it’s just the lightest medium setup I own, but of all my rod/reel combinations, the Slam Stick medium is destined to become my favorite medium weight combo! Of course, of my three medium setups, the Slam Stick is the easiest to skip a softbait with!
I appreciate the time, and effort it takes for each educational, video you all make. It was an interesting test. You sure can cast far with little effort Pat. Thank you
Thanks AJ!
I’m sure it can but as for me I stick with what always has and will work for me I have been using st croix rods for about a decade now and still use all the ones I bought back then then about 4 years ago I bought 3 more that were in upwards of 300 price range and would never switch and after literally hundreds of fish caught on them I can honestly say at least for me they live up to there slogan “best rods on earth” im extremely old fashioned and believe in sticking what works because just because its newer because of technology or from what others say I go by my OWN experience and results enough said thanks for the info but I’ll have to pass
I think it’s good advice to stick with what you know to a point. You should change up if you need a solution to a problem. But if you have something you like, stay with it.
The nature of my job means I’m always trying something new, sometimes it’s a dud and other times I’ll find something I like better than what I was using before. I do enjoy trying new things but I have items that I hold onto because they are my fall back, my tried and true equipment.
Don’t be afraid of trying something new, remember, your St Croix rods at one point was the newest thing on the market and it ended up being something you really enjoy.
Appreciate you watching and the feedback!
Well pat actually back then the model that I chose wasn’t the newest those particular model had been out for at least 5 years but for me yes they were new but what attracted me to st croix was there awesome customer service and warrenty and that is for any reason no questions asked during the time of the warrenty period they will replace it free of charge and after the warrenty expires its only 50 bucks replacement with a brand new warrenty for the new rod and that rule applies to ALL of there rods not just the less exspensive ones I have only broke one which was totally my fault and not a faulty rod and had to use the warrenty and the way I was treated with there awesome customer service I have been with them ever since and in this day and age of companies saying what they will do for you but actually don’t after you buy there product and have to replace or repair it alot of it is all lies so when I find a company that holds true to there word and actually do what they say they will do I stick with it no matter if others claim to be better or not plus pat let’s be honest your in the buissness to make money for not only saltstrong but yourself included so why wouldn’t you say that saltstrongs products are the best just being honest and just saying thanks for the reply
Think the test was done as well as you could .. Also indicates that the most expensive rod is the best as the Salt Strong rod was just about as close .. Good test but would like to see more test and more test of different items….
Reels, lures, lines, rods, and many others if possible…. ! Thanks Pat and well done …. !
I’ll try and do more comparisons in the future.
Insiders would like to see more of these tests to prove that the claims are true as new SS products are introduced. Based on my comment below 9 months ago, this seems to be a repeat of your earlier review although a current date is used. There are several other rod review combinations that could be helpful. Comparison between SS branded rods having the same power/action, and how much casting distance is lost by switching from SM M & SM MH. And traveler rod to Slam Stick M. If anyone will get it done, it will be you. Thanks for doing these tests, Pat!
This was just a reposting of an older video. Those are some good suggestions, and others have mentioned similar. I’m going to do some of those in the future.