Can a Travel Rod Feel Like a One-Piece? (6 Month Review)
- By: Pat Ogletree
- on
- Found In: Product Reviews, Fishing Tips, Inshore Fishing, Fishing Rod Reviews
Travel rods have always had a reputation…
Convenient? Sure.
But actually good?
That’s where a lot of anglers hesitate.
I used to feel the same way.
So I took the Slam Stick Traveler and put it through months of real fishing… everything I normally do.
Watch below to see how it actually held up, and what stood out most.
Featured Gear:
Key Takeaways:
- The Slam Stick Traveler solves the packing problem, and it still performs
- More versatile than expected (handles multiple lure styles and situations)
- No noticeable trade-offs in sensitivity and power vs one-piece rods
- Best fit for traveling anglers or anyone looking to simplify gear and have one rod do a lot of things well
Final Thoughts
If you told me a few years ago that I’d reach for a travel rod every time I go fishing… I probably wouldn’t have believed you.
But after putting this one through the paces for the last 6 months, that’s exactly what’s happened.
It’s not about the specs or even the convenience… it comes down to whether you actually enjoy using it and trust it on the water.
And for me, that answer has been yes.
So if you’ve been on the fence about travel rods because of how they used to perform… this might be worth a serious look if you’re in the market for a new rod.
IMPORTANT REMINDER
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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
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- 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 exclusively use multi-piece rods… One of my biggest complaints was that most of the rods in the Salt Strong shop are one piece. I need a rod that breaks down for easy travel/storage. The connections on travel rods and other two-piece rods are quite exceptional…
I purchased one have not used it yet. Nice looking rod.
I have questions about the traveling rod and case ? I am going to Aruba in May , do I have to check the rod as a bag or can it go in my over head on the plane ? Has anyone experienced this yet ? I would love to have it in my overhead , then I know where it is . Please comment .
I have flown with mine multiple times, and it was easy to carry on and put in the overhead compartment on the plane.
same.
Thanks Luke !
I’ve had hassles with 40” or longer rod tubes. They want to check them and on smaller airplanes can be tough to bring onboard. This rod is 32” rod tube so should be good to go. My experience is flying out west USA and Canada.
I also made a pvc tube as one of my Sage rods came in a metal tube and one time they checked it saying it could be used as a weapon.
That’s the part no one can help with, the sheer arbitraryness of the rules.
While the International Air Transport Association establishes carryon GUIDELINES, the final say is with each airline. And a wrench can be thrown into that as TSA and flight crew also have safety leeway to adjust the airline’s policy. At 32”, unlikely to have a problem.
Thanks Jimbo
Looks like you have some replies here but for more feedback you might want to post this in the Community. You’ll have more eyes on it over there.
https://community.saltstrong.com/
Thanks. Pat
I love mine have the extra handle. They go on the boat every time with my 2 slot machines. Landed a 35 inch snook on mine.
They work well for sure!
Pat, Thanks for the excellent review. I’m just not sold that 6 months of testing means long term durability, although you probably use the rod in 6 months equal to my use over multiple years. It’s still hard to believe that the travel rods will hold up over 10 years the same as a solid rod. Definitely if you fly and fish vs just fish where you can/will drive to, a travel rod is the way to go. Maybe everyone should have at least one just for that purpose? I do like that you can get an extra handle section and then in essence make two rods. Still on the fence about getting the travel version instead of a regular slam stick for my next rod. Maybe I’ll wait for the black Friday or some other deep discount sales on rods.
I’ve flown 3-piece sage fly rods all over out west since 1995. I put them in a pvc tube as it seems guaranteed they end up at the bottom of the pile of luggage.
That said, they still perform fine.
I paint the tube bright and dark colors as one time when I was turning in the rental car at SFO i left it behind in the car in the very dark parking garage. (I recovered it.) i bring a little flashlight now.
They’ve been using that style of ferrel on high end fly rods for a long time and they hold up well. I don’t think they will be an issue.
If you don’t travel or need one to keep behind your seat or in a trunk, a one piece rod is all you need. The travel rod shines went you have to jump on a plane or hit the road with limited space.
Pat, you asked about what grip do I prefer. My least favorite is the EVA foam grip. This my sense it feels heavy (true or false). It absorbs the vibration so its sensitivity is compromised (true or false). These are just my sense or feel for EVA. Cork feels lighter, it’s harder than foam it seems more sensitive, it does get dirty after using for. I put cork sealer on my cork grips works a while but it will get dirty. I have plenty of cork grip rods and I like everyone. But I build my own rods, I only build with carbon fiber grips. It is harder that cork and more sensitive. Some anglers may look at a carbon fiber grip and think that it must be slippery, it’s not. If it was I would not be building my rods with it because the cost is quite a bit higher. It is a lot lighter, if weight is important you can’t beat carbon fiber. So carbon fiber is my number 1, if I am in a hurry to build a rod and I can’t get the carbon fiber in time I won’t hesitate using cork. I won’t build with EVA.
I agree about the carbon fiber. I have a few rods with those grips and really like them. My only issue is they have an overlay that adds texture for a better grip but after using them all day they can rub my fingers raw. But I do like the extra sensitivity they give you
Good to hear your review, my wife and I will be doing more traveling out of state and this might be a great option for us. Especially with the second butt end in our kit. Thank you, Pat.
For traveling, it’s a near perfect set up!
Well Pat, my birthday is coming up this week. You could send me one to try out 😁😆. Just kidding. I like it, just can’t afford it. Maybe Christmas. I try to watch all your presentations. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for watching and look out for those sales!
I just bought one. Now I’m looking at adding a butt section and another fast tip. Wish I had done that first.. the $17 shipping fee is what kept me from buying it for quite awhile. I too wish it had something besides a cork handle. They seem to age really quickly along the Mississippi gulf coast. I have almost all of my cork handles sealed with the shrink seal tubing. My buddy has both the Slam Stick and TFO Travel kits. He likes the TFO better. But the Slam Stick meets my needs.. it’s longer and a little more flexible with both a medium and medium light option. Last year the trout fishing was incredible around Waveland Mississippi.. tight lines guys…
That extra butt section and the other sections for that matter makes a huge difference in the versatility of this rod. If I was a betting man, I’d bet good money that the Slam Stick would out cast the TFO!
It is a great setup. Are there any plans to offer one which is medium/medium heavy in the future?
Yes and very soon! Be on the lookout!