The Simple Rod Setup I Wish I Used Years Ago (Slam Stick ML Review)
- By: Pat Ogletree
- on
- Found In: Product Reviews, Fishing Tips, Inshore Fishing, Fishing Rod Reviews, Tackle & Gear, Rods
Medium light rods are often misunderstood.
In this video, I take a closer look at the Slam Stick Rod in Medium Light power and explain when this rod truly shines, what techniques it’s best suited for, and the situations where it actually outperforms heavier options.
If you’ve ever wondered whether a medium light rod has a place in your lineup, this breakdown will help you decide.
👉 Pick Up Your Medium Light Slam Stick Here
Key Takeaways:
- Medium light fills the gap between finesse and control
- Lighter power helps detect subtle bites and work finesse baits
- Matching rod power to the technique leads to a better fishing experience
Final Thoughts:
The Slam Stick Rod in medium light power fills an important role that many anglers overlook. Once you understand where it fits, choosing the right rod becomes a lot simpler.
IMPORTANT REMINDER
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So I am including links to the quickest ways to achieve each:
1) Finding Fish System
2) Insider Club’s Group Discounts
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Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish ever trip
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- 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).
Hi Pat, I use the medium light for fishing shallow tidal rivers for pan fish and slot stripers. It is great for throwing beetle spins and underspins too.
Ah, the Beetle Spin! Such a great little lure that doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. Thanks for sharing and reminding me of that one!
I have the SS Traveler and love ML with the fast action and Otis 2500 reel. This setup is so sensitive I can feel everything my lure touches.
Glad you are enjoying them! I love mine
Nice review. While I don’t have a Slam Stick, I do use fast medium light rods for the most part unless fishing structure. I think that people underestimate the advantage of a ML when fighting a big fish, especially from a kayak. I’ve caught a 50lb blac drum and a 35lb redfish (at different times) using a 2500 series reel with 10lb braid and 20lb mono leader on a 7’6″ MLF medium priced rod, each boated within about 6 minutes. I’m sure the Slam Stick crushes.
I agree with you, most people think they need a more powerful rod than they actually do. Maybe too concerned about the big one that will get away but losing the slot sized fish that they’re actually targeting because of over powering them. The ML is a great rod for the open flats
Hi Pat and thanks for a fair review. I purchased the Travel Bundle . Can you do a review on which blank to use & when? Thanks
Good call! I’ll see what I can put together
Well like I have always said in any of my comments about saltstrongs equipment you guys advertise i ALWAYS stick with what works and as far as rods go in all my 23 years of fishing inshore saltwater and total fishing experience of 55 years i have found st croix rods for me are the best rods I have ever used and they also have an unsurpassed warrenty that comes with each rod to back up there claim i don’t know or really care for that matter what kind of a warrenty you guys and gals of saltstrong offer to a customer who buys one of your rods but I know what I get with mine and that’s plenty for me and I have several st croix medium light rods as well anyways just saying and don’t get me wrong im not at all saying saltstrongs rods are junk because I know that’s totally untrue im just saying what has worked for me going on about 15 years now I stick with it like the old mechanic saying goes if it ain’t broken don’t try and fix it I know you know what I mean thanks fir the info and all you do
I agree 100%. I have 8 St Croix rods with 4 of them being medium light power. I fish from a kayak, so 6 are Yaksticks.
Yea I used to fish from a yak and where I fish here in northeast fl region the area i used to most frequent with my yak was a place called guana reserviour aka lake Ponte Vedra located in Ponte Vedra fl and the reason I say I was spoiled is because guana reserviour and mosquito lagoon are the only saltwater areas that are totally non tidal and with no tide to deal with the fishing was actually alot easier also I don’t know if you know about it but without tide there are no oysters in there because oysters are biovalves and need the tide to survive only shoreline grass with some scattered mangroves with points and some isolated islands are the only structure there is in there its also controlled by a dam on the southern most side of the lake that separates it from the tolomatoe river that is tidally influenced on the other side of the dam anyways just saying thanks for the reply and happy new year 😉👍
One piece or two? Not in description so assuming one?
One piece, most higher end rods will be a one piece or a three piece travel rod.
If I’m in the marsh on my kayak targeting reds and trout, I’m typically packing two medium and one ML combo. The lure weight ratings on the rods I use have considerable overlap, so together they let me throw a wide range of lures, plus I’m not hobbled much if one of my reels starts acting up. I’ve landed reds to 27″ on the ML without feeling overpowered…but I’m still learning the nuances of working with smaller and lighter-wire hooks. I lost an upper-slot red at the end of a fight two weeks ago because I had the drag too tight. Live and learn 🙂
-Dan
That’s a good all around set up for your kayak. I usually bring the same with me. Thanks for watching!
Anywhere i can see this rod and have the feeling in my hands before purchasing?
and pick it up instead of getting shipped, to save $30 for lures..
I’m not sure where you are located but the best bet is to link up with a local chapter member that has one and see if they can show you. If you let us know we can direct you to the closest one.
My favorite rod by far is the Slam Stick ML.
So much so that I bought the travel rod too.
It’s a great set up! Glad you like it
Hey Pat, well this is right on time, I’ve been eyeing this rod for awhile now. I’ve got a TFO Professional 7’6 M paired with my Daiwa Fuego LT2500D-XH , an recently got the newer Daiwa Fuego LT2500D-XH (2023) so I want to pair that one with the Slam stick 7’6 ML for..like you said smaller size lures like 2.0 pattle tails an 4″ mulligan..prawn Jr. Ect. An now it’s winter, they spook easy, I mostly fish from 1 to 8′ depths there’s only one hole that’s about 14′ the rest is from 1-8′ so it will be perfect for me. Had to wait till after Christmas so I could afford it 😆..anyway come January I will get it for a early Birthday present 😁..thanks for all Ya’ll do..tight lines 🎣
You’re really going to like this rod, it’s perfect for what you’re doing. Let us know your thoughts!