Don’t Buy A SALTWATER FISHING ROD Until You Watch This
- By: Joseph Simonds
- on
- Found In: Fishing Tips, Inshore Fishing, Salt Strong Podcast, Tackle & Gear
If you want to catch more redfish, trout, flounder, and snook…STOP obsessing over the wrong gear.
We spent YEARS chasing the wrong improvement.
And once you hear the “aha moment” that finally flipped everything for us, you’ll never look at your entire setup the same way again.
👉 If you want the easiest way to get fully dialed in, our System Bundles remove all the guesswork, and the Black Friday discounts are massive!
Key Takeaways:
- Why most anglers accidentally handicap their casting distance, without realizing it
- The trap of “flashy reels”… and the 90 percent of performance nobody talks about
- How to tell in 10 seconds if a rod will actually cast far
- Why copying a captain’s setup could be the #1 thing holding back your casting distance and strike detection
- The “unbreakable rod” myth… and how it destroys sensitivity
- The single rod length that instantly boosts distance for kayakers, waders, and boat anglers
- Why your rod might be murdering your accuracy, even if you’re a good caster
- The embarrassing mistake we made for over a decade (and how it cost them fish they never knew they missed)
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you’ve ever wondered why someone beside you seems to cast farther… feel more strikes… or catch fish you never knew were sitting there, it’s usually not luck.
This video will save you years of trial and error, and the Black Friday bundles will save you a pile of money while you set yourself up with the gear that actually moves the needle.
Save Money With Your Insider Membership!
Salt Strong Insiders get 20% (or more) off of our gear on fishstrong.com!
Plus, we’ve partnered with some of the biggest names in fishing to bring exclusive savings to Salt Strong members; gear and everything in between.
Check Out All Insider Group Discounts Here
And Salt Strong Insiders also get full access to the Sportsmans Guide Buyers Club for even more savings on fishing, hunting, and outdoor gear! Learn more here.
Related categories:
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).
I have a Diawa AIRD-X with a Meduim Heavy, Fast Action, 7 foot rod with 30lbs braid. Is this a good rod to be running for insore fishing? I try to target Red Drum, SeaTrout, and flounder. I mostly want to catch reds though.
Great informative podcast! Thanks!
I use fast or extra fast for soft plastics, however for most moving baits; topwater, chatterbaits, etc., i use moderate fast,. My thinking is i will get more hookups because the action is a little slower. Your thoughts?
The Slot Machine’s sensitivity & fish fighting abilities are a pure joy to fish with & the strength is surprisingly great !! The Slam Stick is a less expensive & shockingly good rod that is a blast when casting & fighting fish !! Most rods lose sensitivity at depths over 10 ft or so & the Slot Machine is just as efficient & sensitive as it is in 2 ft. depths !!
Very good video and awesome information and it is all spot on guys … !!
Thanks Luke and Joe
Thanks for all the info I don’t have one of your rods but I do have some good rods and even build my own rods yes the rod is the best thing you can buy I have found that out over the years buying Walmart rods not the way to go again thanks for all the information you guys give on everything from casting to the right bait I have learned a lot from you guys
Great topic and info. on rods.
When someone gets the chance to hold my slot machine or slam stick, they’re just blow away how lightweight and smooth it is.
As I get older, I have been more interested in light weight. Arthritis is no fun and even less fun on a long day of casting. Do you consider a medium light fast tip acceptable for most inshore fishing?
Yes
Thanks for the valuable information, I had no idea that the rod is so important
Yes sir! As we discussed, the rod does 80% of all the work. Makes the cast, feels the bite, sets the hook, gives you leverage to bring in the fish, etc. The reel basically just lets the line go in and out on a spool.
I would have really liked to get the M & MH Slot Machine rods. Even at the previous price $299 plus the $30 shipping was hard to justify the cost. If SS offered a discount for buying two rods, I would have seriously considered it.
I have the lures, so I don’t need the lure and rod bundle. Just like to get the rods.
Now with the price increase to $359 for each rod plus the $30 shipping, sealed that fate. There are too many other options to consider now. The St Croix Avid Inshore and even the Inshore Legend, not to mention other makes and models. A number of online stores will offer free shipping or a marginal shipping fee $5-$15. These are the heavy duty shipping tubes, not a flimsy box.
I do have the ML Slam Stick because I needed a 7’6″ ML rod. I purchased the bundle with the Otis 2500. The bundle was a good deal at that time. I do like the performance of that set up.
My local tackle store will run a customer appreciation event and offer 20% off on rods,10% off on reels and 20% off on all lures, terminal tackle. Which takes SS out of consideration on rods and reels and lures not available through SS. I still spend a small fortune with SS between the free slam shady and tackle tester events.
Ive been a member for 7 years.
Thank you for the feedback, Mark. We appreciate you big time.
Those rods you mentioned from St. Croix are good rods, but certainly not at the same level as the Slot Machine. If the Slot Machine had a St. Croix decal, it would be priced closer to $475… As you know, we give all members $100 off each rod (which more than pays for membership in a single purchase).
More great things coming next year. Keep the feedback coming.