Falcon Rods DISCONTINUING Cara Line of Rods???

[MBG3]

Just talked to Falcon on the phone since I could not find the Cara 7’3 Swimbait/Pitchin rod anywhere for sale. Asked if they discontinued the rod and they said they have not had any Caras in stock for the past 4 months and that they aren’t sure if they will ever get any rods back in stock. Hopefully this changes and they will still continue make some rods in the USA, but they told me to try the “Expert” line of rods. Does anyone know if the Expert or Cara rods have a faster tip than the lowrider? I have not used any but the lowrider 20 and 2019 lowrider. They seem to have a bit slower tip than most brands. The reason I wanted the Cara Swimbait/Pitchin rod was bc it was an extra fast. I have an Amistad and was looking at the XH Amistad thinking it might have a stiffer tip. Thanks for any help.

[Jason Penn]

i would think the expert is the replacement for the cara. when the cara first came out (early 2000's?) the experts were probably $40-50 more than the cara. then the experts were discontinued, and the cara became top tier.

[Sam]

Planned obsolescence or they are not selling?

 

If it is planned obsolescence you will be getting information on a replacement rod line that is new and improved.

 

If the rods did not meet sales expectations then you can kiss them goodbye.

 

Stay tuned. Time will tell.

[CountryboyinDC]

I waited since last October for a Cara T7.  I finally saw one in stock (CC-5-1610S) and bought it (TW), cancelling my other order.  Now you don't see them anywhere.  I broke a T7 and sent them the cut-down piece, and customer service recommended I take an Expert.  I didn't see one with the exact same lenght/taper, so I asked about the Cara T7.  Evidently I may be in for another long wait.  All of the US-made Falcon rods are out of stock everywhere, so my next rods may be ALX or St. Croix.

[MBG3]

54 minutes ago, CountryboyinDC said:

I waited since last October for a Cara T7.  I finally saw one in stock (CC-5-1610S) and bought it (TW), cancelling my other order.  Now you don't see them anywhere.  I broke a T7 and sent them the cut-down piece, and customer service recommended I take an Expert.  I didn't see one with the exact same lenght/taper, so I asked about the Cara T7.  Evidently I may be in for another long wait.  All of the US-made Falcon rods are out of stock everywhere, so my next rods may be ALX or St. Croix.

Thanks for the input which model did you get? Need help with a new jig/Texas-rig rod 3/8-1/2oz. I have a lowrider 20 Amistad but wanting a rod with a little faster tip, do you think the Caras or Experts are a little faster? I’ve heard so just never had the chance to see for myself. I’m thinking the same as you tho about having to go to stcroix or other brands just don’t want to.

[CountryboyinDC]

Just now, MBG3 said:

Thanks for the input which model did you get? Need help with a new jig/Texas-rig rod 3/8-1/2oz. I have a lowrider 20 Amistad but wanting a rod with a little faster tip, do you think the Caras or Experts are a little faster? I’ve heard so just never had the chance to see for myself. I’m thinking the same as you tho about having to go to stcroix or other brands just don’t want to.

I don't have any Cara T7s in anything as heavy as the Amistad, sorry I can't help you with that.  The Lowrider 20s were notorious for being on the slow side, but the 2 Caras I have are rated fast and I think that's what most manufacturers would rate them (something like 1/3 tip, 2/3 backbone).  I haven't tried the new Experts, but I liked the old one I had better than the Cara line.  The made in US thing is making me consider other rod makers.

[MBG3]

11 minutes ago, CountryboyinDC said:

I don't have any Cara T7s in anything as heavy as the Amistad, sorry I can't help you with that.  The Lowrider 20s were notorious for being on the slow side, but the 2 Caras I have are rated fast and I think that's what most manufacturers would rate them (something like 1/3 tip, 2/3 backbone).  I haven't tried the new Experts, but I liked the old one I had better than the Cara line.  The made in US thing is making me consider other rod makers.

Thanks just what I was wanting to hear. And yeah, I agree with you there 

[Big-Bass]

Cara's were/are made in the USA.  The Expert line is now an overseas model unlike the older Expert series.  I don't think Falcon now will have a USA made rod if the Cara gets discontinued.

[GReb]

I hope that’s not the case. The Cara is one of the best rods under $300 ever made. 

[WRB]

It may be that the new ownership of Pure Fishing no longer honors license argreements to use 3M nano resin they own rights to be used to make high end rods to competitors. Since China could care less about patent infringement rods (blanks) made their can use whatever technology is availble to them.

Tom

[Log Catcher]

The ICAST show is about two months away. Maybe they will bring out a new rod then.

[rangerjockey]

I was afraid the Cara was going to be discontinued when I saw the  reintroduction of the Expert.

The 2 are just too close in price point to keep both.

 

[MBG3]

Anyone have any Experience with the New Experts? preferably the 6'11 frogging or 7'3 Amistad 

[Chance_Taker4]

I don't know a whole lot about Falcon as a company but I did see a post on Kistler's facebook page where they announced that they are having issues getting blanks for their rods. They outsource their blanks from North Fork Composite and apparently NFC is having issues. It could be the same thing for Falcon unless they spin their own blanks.

[CFDoc]

Looks like they're coming back.

 

Check the ICAST product pictures on bass-master.

 

I'm a huge fan of the expert series. Hopefully these 2020 Cara's are just as good or better.

[NOC 1]

On 5/9/2019 at 10:29 AM, GReb said:

I hope that’s not the case. The Cara is one of the best rods under $300 ever made. 

The expert is one of the best $200 rods I've used, better than some of my $300+ rods.. I never got a Cara, but a few guys who have tried both say they are similar and one or two said they liked the new expert better. Of course that is hearsay.

On 5/10/2019 at 6:28 PM, MBG3 said:

Anyone have any Experience with the New Experts? preferably the 6'11 frogging or 7'3 Amistad 

 I bought the 7' MF for one of my sons this spring as he is a big fan and I owed him a rod. Of course I used it for a few trips before I got to Texas to deliver it. I am really impressed with it. St Croix and Megabass will probably lose a few sales from me.

[Bass Rutten]

Still made in the US?

[GReb]

2 hours ago, NOC 1 said:

The expert is one of the best $200 rods I've used, better than some of my $300+ rods.. I never got a Cara, but a few guys who have tried both say they are similar and one or two said they liked the new expert better. Of course that is hearsay.

 I bought the 7' MF for one of my sons this spring as he is a big fan and I owed him a rod. Of course I used it for a few trips before I got to Texas to deliver it. I am really impressed with it. St Croix and Megabass will probably lose a few sales from me.

I have a few experts now and can’t tell much of a difference between them and the cara. Looks like I’ll have to try the new cara now

[zell_pop1]

2 hours ago, Bassjam2000 said:

Still made in the US?

X2 I will not buy a Cara/Lowrider made in China.

[NOC 1]

7 hours ago, zell_pop1 said:

X2 I will not buy a Cara/Lowrider made in China.

I understand the sentiment but what will you buy? There are so few rods made in the USA. I know that there is NFC and Batson making blanks here. And St. Croix.

10 hours ago, Bassjam2000 said:

Still made in the US?

I believe that they are assembled in the US from Chinese and Japanese parts.

[Cgrinder]

3 hours ago, NOC 1 said:

I understand the sentiment but what will you buy? There are so few rods made in the USA. I know that there is NFC and Batson making blanks here. And St. Croix.

 

ALX, baby. Made in South Carolina, US of A. Kistler uses NFC blanks so that is an option. Hammer maybe as well.

[CFDoc]

1 hour ago, BaitFinesse said:

Hammers are proudly and horrifically made in the USA.

 

 

Agreed. Never again will I own a hammer rod.

 

I also see the noble stance of trying to buy USA; however, I truly don't see how that's possible in today's society.

 

Every single poster on here that is not buying rods made in the USA is posting about it using electronic equipment that is 90% or more made in China.

[GReb]

I could be totally wrong but I would guess 100% of rods are made with some component manufactured overseas. Guides, reel seat, handle, thread, resin, etc. 

 

For those that only buy America made rods what reel are you using?

[Tywithay]

3 hours ago, Cgrinder said:

 

ALX, baby. Made in South Carolina, US of A. Kistler uses NFC blanks so that is an option. Hammer maybe as well.

ALX Ikos blanks are made overseas. Only the Zolo and Enox are USA.

[fishindad]

I saw the photo of the revamped Cara in the Bassmaster 2020 iCast article. To me, it looks and reads like it's being made overseas like the Expert. I own 8 Caras and love 'em. If they are no longer made in the US, I won't buy any more Falcons. Really blows because IMO Caras were the absolute best stick out there in the $200-$270 price range.

 

The problem as mentioned is it is almost impossible now to find a rod company that produces every rod using US employees in a US factory. Sure, everyone here probably uses foreign-made vehicles, phones, reels, electronics. etc, etc. But I believe we should try our best to support US companies and employees whenever possible.