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Learn More »A Tackle Shop Guide to the Penn Slammer Travel Rod
For years, a "travel rod" was often a compromise. It was the flimsy, unimpressive rod you'd pack for a holiday, knowing you'd be undergunned if a decent fish showed up. We encounter anglers in here all the time facing this problem: they're a FIFO worker or they've booked a charter up north to target some hardcore saltwater fish, and they can't take their 1-piece 8-foot rod they’d use at home. They need a multi-piece rod, but they're worried about it failing for some of the heavy-duty sport fish Australia has to offer. The Penn Slammer travel series was built to solve that exact fear. Built for heavy-duty fishing, Slammer is a top choice for Anglers chasing big saltwater fish.
A Note From Our Local Experts
"When customers ask me for a heavy duty travel rod for saltwater sport fishing, the Penn Slammer is often my recommendation. There used to be a range of heavy duty models in brands such as Daiwa and Shimano however for whatever reason these brands stopping making heavy duty travel rods. Penn fills this gap. If you are after a portable rod that has fuji guides, a strong blank and the trust of a world-renowned brand then a Slammer travel fishing rod is worth considering. It’s a proper, powerful spin stick that just happens to break down into three pieces."
- Ben Czulowski, Owner, Fishing Tackle Shop (Ocean Storm) | 20+ years industry experience
Decoding the Features: What Makes it a "Slammer"
This rod isn't just branded 'Slammer'; it's built with components that back it up. When you're comparing rods, here’s what these specs actually mean for you:
- SLSX Blank Construction: This is Penn's name for their blank layering. For a multi-piece rod, this is crucial. It creates a blank that is not only powerful for casting poppers (60-130g) but also provides hoop strength to stop the rod from buckling or twisting under a heavy load—exactly where old travel rods would fail.
- Fuji K-Series Guides: These are Fuji's tangle-free guides. That "K" shape has a forward-leaning design that actively sheds line knots, which is a trip-saver when you're casting PE 3-5 braid at speed. The Alconite inserts are super smooth, braid-safe, and durable.
- Hybrid Grips & Gimbal: Instead of just plain EVA, this rod uses a mix of EVA and cork. This gives you the durability of EVA where you need it, but the cork adds sensitivity, letting you feel what the lure is doing. On these travel rod models, the rubber gimbal butt is a small but beneficial feature. It's designed to lock securely into a gimbal belt, which is often an advantage when you're fighting a tough, deep-slugging fish like a kingfish or tuna that has the ability to add some bruising to your hips.
Pro-Tips for Your Multi-Piece Rod
Looking after a multi-piece rod is easy, but a few simple habits make all the difference. The most common problems we see are stuck joints or sections twisting loose.
- Assembling: Line up the guides by eye and push the sections together with a firm, straight push. Try not to twist them together, as this can wear the joint and make it hard to get apart.
- If a Joint Gets Stuck: Never try to untwist it by gripping the guides. Get a friend to help. You each grab one section (with hands close to the joint, preferably with rubber gloves for grip) and pull straight apart with a slight back-and-forth wiggle.
Technical Specifications: 793SPH Model
This page lists the 793SPH, a powerful, heavy-duty model in the series. It is a capable rod designed for metal slugs, poppers, stickbaits, and live baiting for tuna, kingfish, mackerel, and coral trout.
| Model | 793SPH |
| Type | Spin |
| Length | 7ft 9in |
| Pieces | 3 |
| Line Class | PE 3-5 (approx 30-50lb braid) |
| Lure Cast Weight | 60-130g |
| Guides | Fuji K-Series Alconite |
| Reel Seat | Fuji Graphite |
| Grips | Hybrid EVA/Cork |
| Gimbal | Durable Rubber |
| Packed Length (in case) | Approx. 96cm |
| Rod Only Weight | Approx. 355g |
| Suggested Reel Size | 5500 - 6500 (Penn Sizing) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What reel is a good match for this 793SPH rod?
This is a PE 3-5 rod, so it has a lot of power. I'd personally recommend a 5500 or 6500 size reel from the Penn range. Either the Slammer 5500 or 6500 Reel is a perfect match in power and durability for what this rod is built to do.
Is this rod only for Northern Australian species?
That's a common question. It is ideal for a trip up to North Queensland. But it's a heavy-tackle spin rod, full stop. It's just as capable of chasing big kingfish on the headlands in Sydney or targeting mahi-mahi offshore as it is for north QLD mackerel or trevally. It’s a solid rod for anywhere in Australia that holds big, powerful sportfish.
Will this rod (96cm packed) fit in my suitcase?
Unlikely. At 96cm, it is too long for most standard check-in suitcases. It comes with its own fabric-covered travel case, which is great for protecting the rod in a long duffel bag or the car. It is not a heavy-duty, crush-proof tube, so you wouldn't ideally check it in as a standalone item and perhaps take it as carry-on (subject to airline carry-on size restrictions).
I put the rod together and there's a small gap at the joint. Is it faulty?
That's a common question. It is not faulty. That gap is normal and part of the rod's (spigot ferrule) design. It's there to allow the joint to wear in over thousands of casts. A joint that fits "perfectly" flush from day one will become loose over time.
Is this rod only for travel, or can I use it at home?
The quality of this rod is so good that many anglers use it as their regular "car rod" for heavy saltwater fishing. It doesn't have the dead, heavy feel of older travel rods, so it's a great option if you need a rod that breaks down.
This is a heavy-duty rod for the traveling angler. Add A Penn Slammer Travel Rod to your cart and get ready for your next trip with fast dispatch available.
