2021 Falcon Cara..Fit and Finish Review

[MidwestBassAttack]

Hey gang - Just got my 2021 Falcon Cara model in. I chose the 7’3” Heavy (Amistad) to use as a Texas rig/jig rod. 
 

Fit and finish is meticulous and quite honestly impeccable. I’ve gone over the rod from butt to tip numerous times and cannot find any issues whatsoever. Guides are perfectly wrapped and laser straight. Blank is perfectly straight and in a matte black finish. Take note, I also received a Kistler Helium in with NFC blank and I swear that blank has some uneven shapes.

 

Cork split grip contains some of the best quality cork I’ve ever seen. There is absolutely no filler that I can detect. No pits, gouges, etc. Handle has some meat on it as well which I like. Not a fan of those ultra-tapered handles.

 

Seems like a lot of feedback I received from my earlier post mentioned Falcons have a tendency to fish slower than stated. The Amistad has a tip that loads into a solid back bone roughly around the 4th guide from the tip. Almost seems like a borderline extra fast. Similar to a Dobyns 735. That’s a good sign!

 

Color accents are simple, understated, and quite classy. I love that in a rod. No fancy colors, cheesy logos, or poorly chosen fonts. Classy, classy, classy look.

I’ll be putting in some time with her over the next several weeks and will post a review then. Until then, this is one sharp looking rod! That alone can build some confidence! 

 

 

 

 

[RTipton]

Thanks for this, been eyeing one but havent put my paws on them. 

 

Do you happen to have an Expert? I would be curious to know how it stacks up to that rod. 

[MidwestBassAttack]

I don’t have an Expert so I can’t provide a comparison. A good friend of mine down in southern IL swears by Falcon.  He’s a tourney guy for upwards of 15 years and swears he can feel a fish inhale his bait. He uses the prior generation of Cara’s.

 

In fact, I just pulled the trigger on another one. That way I have one dedicated to jigs and one dedicated to Texas rigs fully.

 

 

 

 

[CFDoc]

13 hours ago, MidwestBassAttack said:

 

 

Seems like a lot of feedback I received from my earlier post mentioned Falcons have a tendency to fish slower than stated. The Amistad has a tip that loads into a solid back bone roughly around the 4th guide from the tip. Almost seems like a borderline extra fast. Similar to a Dobyns 735. That’s a good sign! 

 

 

 

 

This is absolutely true about falcons ratings. A bit slower than most other manufacturers for a given rating.

 

I’m actually a big fan of their slower actions as it seems everybody else is in a race to make the next broomstick. The slower actions cast much more accurately for me.

 

Hopefully falcon is working on offering both slow and fast offerings in their lineups. I’m a huge fan of the experts so I’m curious to hear differences.

[GReb]

I keep hoping that falcon will put the full model list on their website but nothing yet. 

[MidwestBassAttack]

Check TackleWarehouse. Specs are listed but you need to select each rod length to see the detailed specs.

[GReb]

1 hour ago, MidwestBassAttack said:

Check TackleWarehouse. Specs are listed but you need to select each rod length to see the detailed specs.

Well the model I had envisioned buying isn’t on TW. Not sure if they didn’t carry it over to the new Cara or TW only listed the models in stock. 

[GReb]

Received my new Cara today. I ended up ordering the 7’4 Heavy after speaking with Falcon. Technique wise it’s their football jig rod although I have other plans. It weighs between 4.1 and 4.2 ounces and the action is noticeably faster than the Expert line. I’m looking forward to putting in some time with it this weekend. 
 

Tackle Warehouse taped the free shirt to the rod and bent all 3 guides under it. Kind of ticked me off but I gently bent them out and will get over it

[RTipton]

1 hour ago, GReb said:

Received my new Cara today. I ended up ordering the 7’4 Heavy after speaking with Falcon. Technique wise it’s their football jig rod although I have other plans. It weighs between 4.1 and 4.2 ounces and the action is noticeably faster than the Expert line. I’m looking forward to putting in some time with it this weekend. 
 

Tackle Warehouse taped the free shirt to the rod and bent all 3 guides under it. Kind of ticked me off but I gently bent them out and will get over it

Thanks for this. I handled one a few weeks ago and was impressed by how light they were. 

 

Sucks about the guides! 

[TimTheGearNerd]

Looking forward to how you feel about sensitivity and power be the helium. 
 

how does the rod feel under load? Does it handle the upper lure weight level well? 
 

 

[Bandersnatch]

How do you guys think these compare to others in their price point. Zodias, Expride and such. Is there any warranty on these cara rods?

[GReb]

I’ve fished the Cara a few times now and caught quite a few bass on it. Impressions so far are overall good. It’s light, comfortable, and the action is perfect. The fast action is more true to industry norm than most other Falcons. Sensitivity is there and Id describe it as “high strung” which probably makes no sense....almost like a guitar string that is a little too tight.  Not saying that’s good or bad but it feels different than the old Cara and recent Expert.  I missed the first 3 bites I had because I trouble discerning between bites and cover. Everything your bait touches just jumps through the rod. The Expert is a very sensitive but a little more muted and in my opinion easier to detect what’s what. I’m going to spool up a different fluorocarbon on the Cara and see what difference that makes if any. In my side by side comparison both rods had 16lb sniper on Chronarch ci4 reels but the line on the Cara is noticeably older. 
 

I originally thought that it would be easy to compare the Expert and Cara but I really think both are very different. The Expert excels with moving baits and heavy cover. The Cara seems to be more of an open water bottom contact rod. It’s more finesse orientated in my opinion. But again this is very early on impressions and I’ve only used one model Cara

[MidwestBassAttack]

After some time with the Cara’s as well as the newer Experts....I can wholeheartedly say I prefer the Experts. Previous poster is spot on with the description. The Cara’s felt like the volume was on 10 with everything....the Experts seemed more refined and polished from a “feel” perspective.

 

 

[new2BC4bass]

Thanks to all of you for the feedback.  I've been letting the Bait Monkey push the urge on me to buy a couple more rods.  I like my older Falcons and want to score a couple more.  Originally was considering both in the Lowrider line.  Read they fish above price point.  Looking at the Amistad and Head Turner.  Currently thinking Head Turner Expert/Amistad Lowrider so I can try both lines.  Probably use the Head Turner more often, thus the Expert choice.

 

I bought Fast action rods when I got back into fishing as they get the majority of 'all-around' title.  After getting a few OG Tatulas with a Regular action, I have come to like that action a lot.

[BrianMDTX]

2 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

Originally was considering both in the Lowrider line.

I just purchased a Lowrider All Round Fast MHF a few weeks ago. Paired it with a Daiwa Fuego CT 8.1:1 as my primary rig for soft plastics. It’s quickly becoming my favorite rig. 

[new2BC4bass]

1 minute ago, BrianMDTX said:

I just purchased a Lowrider All Round Fast MHF a few weeks ago. Paired it with a Daiwa Fuego CT 8.1:1 as my primary rig for soft plastics. It’s quickly becoming my favorite rig. 

  Can't wait to hear more from you on the rod.  Thanks.

[cdlittle]

On 1/14/2021 at 4:28 PM, GReb said:

Received my new Cara today. I ended up ordering the 7’4 Heavy after speaking with Falcon. Technique wise it’s their football jig rod although I have other plans. It weighs between 4.1 and 4.2 ounces and the action is noticeably faster than the Expert line. I’m looking forward to putting in some time with it this weekend. 
 

Tackle Warehouse taped the free shirt to the rod and bent all 3 guides under it. Kind of ticked me off but I gently bent them out and will get over it

 

Oh h*** no. I would be calling TW and giving them a piece of my mind. That's a $200 rod they damaged.

[BrianMDTX]

33 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

  Can't wait to hear more from you on the rod.  Thanks.

Here's a link to my review of the rod in another thread. 

 

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/236728-going-to-try-a-falcon/?do=findComment&comment=2693327

[new2BC4bass]

48 minutes ago, BrianMDTX said:

Here's a link to my review of the rod in another thread. 

 

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/236728-going-to-try-a-falcon/?do=findComment&comment=2693327

Thanks.  I do remember reading it the first time, but enjoyed reading it again.  Only solidifies my desires for a couple more Falcons. 

[BrianMDTX]

4 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Thanks.  I do remember reading it the first time, but enjoyed reading it again.  Only solidifies my desires for a couple more Falcons. 

I was out last Friday tossing Neko Macho TR with it. Had no problems reeling this bass in with it! 
 

[RTipton]

14 hours ago, MidwestBassAttack said:

After some time with the Cara’s as well as the newer Experts....I can wholeheartedly say I prefer the Experts. Previous poster is spot on with the description. The Cara’s felt like the volume was on 10 with everything....the Experts seemed more refined and polished from a “feel” perspective.

 

 

That is great to hear. I picked up a Cara All Around a while back and have used it as a spinner bait rod and really like it. I was in Tulsa a few weeks ago, stopped by the Falcon headquarters store and picked up the 7'3' deep runner. I have not used that one yet.

 

Now, I want to try an Expert. 

[new2BC4bass]

54 minutes ago, BrianMDTX said:

I was out last Friday tossing Neko Macho TR with it. Had no problems reeling this bass in with it! 
 

I am so envious of you, my friend!  Very pretty fish.  Wow.  Bet it's bigger than I am used to seeing in this area.  Congrats, and hoping you catch many more.

[BrianMDTX]

6 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

I am so envious of you, my friend!  Very pretty fish.  Wow.  Bet it's bigger than I am used to seeing in this area.  Congrats, and hoping you catch many more.

Your profile says you’re in Bethlehem, PA. I transferred from PHL to IAH in 2019 after 58 years (minus 3.5 years in DE and any military postings) in MD. This is a huge bass there for sure. Here, you get a “nice fish” at the most lol. They do get bigger here for sure. And most have that real pretty green coloration. Not all, but most. Best of all is this pond is 1/2 mile at most from my driveway. 

[GReb]

21 hours ago, MidwestBassAttack said:

After some time with the Cara’s as well as the newer Experts....I can wholeheartedly say I prefer the Experts. Previous poster is spot on with the description. The Cara’s felt like the volume was on 10 with everything....the Experts seemed more refined and polished from a “feel” perspective.

 

 

The Experts are just amazing rods especially if you play your cards right. Most of mine were bought for $150-160. I’ve become more and more comfortable with the Cara but I’d buy another Expert before Cara

[Derek1]

It seems most of you guys prefer the expert line over the Cara. I was thinking the head turner for a new spinnerbait rod.