Falcon Expert

[Big-Bass]

I have a Falcon Expert casting rod (6' Medium Extra Fast) that I bought new 15 years ago.  The rod has seen many fish but I always wondered what blank this rod most closely mimics in say the Loomis or St. Croix line.  I believe the blank is a Shikari blank on this particular rod and I think I bought it on closeout in 2001 for about $99.  It is the only 6' rod I own but still find myself occasionally using it (not nearly like I used to then when I had only 6' and 6'6" rods max).

[fishnkamp]

I believe it is probably most like an old IM6 version of the SJR 722. My wife and I have owned several of that exact rod in different graphites (IMX, GL2, GL3). The rod rates as a 6 foot Medium with a fast action taper. It is rated for lure weight from 1/8 to 3/8. We still fish G Loomis 6 foot SJR-721 and SJR-722 s regularly.. They are terrifically sensitive and with today's modern love for 7 foot or longer rods these shorter rods still work best around and under docks and tight cover. Like you these rods were purchased back in the day when the best boat I could afford was a 17 foot aluminum which could only fir a 6' rod.  Now I pull them out of a big modern bass boat's rod locker and just really enjoy how good they fish. Earlier this spring we were fishing 1/10 ounce Nwd Rigs along deep bluffs on Dale Hollow. Instead of hooking a nice fat smallie my wife tagged a 6 1/2 pound catfish on a her SJR 721. That is the 6 foot light action rod which rates 1/16 to 5/16 of an ounce rod. To watch her chase tht cat from the front to the back of the boat and hear the loosened drag on a Pflueger President scream was hilarious.  She fought it for about 10 minutes before i grabbed it with a catfish lipper.  That rod held up perfectly although I doubt G Loomis ever thought about it as a catfish rod when they were designing it. It is scary when you are battling a fish and you can see the arbor under your line. 

[j bab]

And I thought my 6'6" was short! I'm 6'4" myself though... I want to try a 6' for docks now

[timsford]

I use 6'3" rods for skipping docks and trees, target casting and roll casting shallow cover, and for fishing jerkbaits and topwater walkers like the spook. I get way more action with the rod and can twitch and her the way I want without worrying about breaking my rod tip. I have several spinning rods off the shelf and a custom scv spinning rod also built for this. I'm having a custom mh baitcaster built also for heavier jerkbaits and roll casting spinnerbaits. I like long rods for some stuff, especially deepwater, but 6'-6'6" will always have a place as they are much more accurate

[Big-Bass]

Any other input on the Expert line?  Thanks and best wishes on the water!

[basscrusher]

I'd be very interested to hear some responses as well, since I've been scouring the web for some time looking for a certain Falcon Expert for sale (used).  It would be nice to know what it compares to so I can just abandon my dreams of finding the Falcon and move on to something else! 

[rangerjockey]

The Expert was a great rod, I always liked it as well as the newer Cara's. My understanding was the cost to make them was just too high so the line got discontinued. I know of a guide here on Table Rock that has a few left but never lets his clients use them.

 That 6ft x fast would a sweet little finesse jig rod and probably walk a spook as well.

That Shikari was a great blank I still have one of the old green cara's that used it.

Sensitivity wise they are real close the GLX of that time. if your looking to match it, the Loomis 782 or 783 would be my choice.

 Might check with American Legacy and see if they have any that have been traded in.