ALX Zolo vs Falcon Expert/Cara for sensitivity.

[Chaos10691]

Looking to upgrade my 3/8-1/2oz jig rod soon and was looking at these 3 rods. I talked to Alex at ALX and he recommended the Toadface for what I’d need and I’m also looking at the Falcon lineup. Im not sure which model of the Falcons so some help on that would be great too.
 

 I’m just curious on peoples opinions on their sensitivity either compared to each other or other rods in that $$$ range. I know that’s a subjective thing to ask but any input is appreciated. I’d also like to hear on balance and how true they are to their rating if at all possible. All input appreciate.

[5by3]

I used to have a bunch of zolos and still own a few that I use for moving baits. Sensitivity was slightly above average for their price range in my hands. They are a good workhouse rod that can handle some abuse. Most of the zolos fish like a Loomis mag bass rod if you’re familiar with that rod action.

 

A few years ago I switched over to the zodias/expride rods. They are definitely more sensitive, but not sure about their durability yet. I had an expride tip snap on the cast (shimano replaced it at no cost)… but never broke a zolo. 

[Chaos10691]

32 minutes ago, 5by3 said:

I used to have a bunch of zolos and still own a few that I use for moving baits. Sensitivity was slightly above average for their price range in my hands. They are a good workhouse rod that can handle some abuse. Most of the zolos fish like a Loomis mag bass rod if you’re familiar with that rod action.

 

A few years ago I switched over to the zodias/expride rods. They are definitely more sensitive, but not sure about their durability yet. I had an expride tip snap on the cast (shimano replaced it at no cost)… but never broke a zolo. 

I should have mentioned that I’m in a kayak. If not for that I’d 100% go expride. Unfortunately their handles are just a bit too long for me. The one I have currently has a 15” handle and that is about the max length I want. Also I’m coming from a $130 TP1 Black so anything more sensitive than that is great to me lol.

[GReb]

I own a Zolo Toadface and a bunch of Falcons. The Expert Amistad would be my choice. The Cara is nice but not worth the extra money. To me the Expert series is just special and I know others agree. 

[Chaos10691]

Just now, GReb said:

I own a Zolo Toadface and a bunch of Falcons. The Expert Amistad would be my choice. The Cara is nice but not worth the extra money. To me the Expert series is just special and I know others agree. 

You don’t really hear a lot about the falcons. I used to have an HD model as my original jig rod and loved it. How sensitive in comparison to other rods is the expert? How true to the rating is the Amistad? Is it a true heavy or does it fall more on the MH+ side? I’ll be using it for 3/8-1/2 oz pitching and football jigs + trailers. Same weight swim jigs and heavier Texas rigs. Will it handle that ok? And how does the Amistad fair in cover?

 

Sorry for all the questions but like I said I can’t find much on them. What I do find however seems to be all positive.

[GReb]

2 minutes ago, Chaos10691 said:

You don’t really hear a lot about the falcons. I used to have an HD model as my original jig rod and loved it. How sensitive in comparison to other rods is the expert? How true to the rating is the Amistad? Is it a true heavy or does it fall more on the MH+ side? I’ll be using it for 3/8-1/2 oz pitching and football jigs + trailers. Same weight swim jigs and heavier Texas rigs. Will it handle that ok? And how does the Amistad fair in cover?

 

Sorry for all the questions but like I said I can’t find much on them. What I do find however seems to be all positive.

I find the Expert to be very sensitive. There are a lot of models I haven’t used so it’s hard to say but I have owned the Zodias, Champion, and quite a few St Croix. I prefer the Expert over those. But that’s not to say you would agree as sensitivity is objective. 
 

The Amistad will handle anything in the 3/8 to 1 oz range easily. I’ve never thrown anything over an ounce. I pitch jigs and texas rigs into lilly pads all year with no issues. It has a very strong backbone but a nice tip. It’s not a pool cue by any means and it’s super versatile. I believe the rod weighs 4.2 oz so it’s comfortable to maneuver all day. 
 

It is hard to find info on Falcon but I have called them directly on several occasions and they have always answered my questions and provided additional info I wasn’t aware of. They are a super helpful small company similar ALX

[Chaos10691]

35 minutes ago, GReb said:

I find the Expert to be very sensitive. There are a lot of models I haven’t used so it’s hard to say but I have owned the Zodias, Champion, and quite a few St Croix. I prefer the Expert over those. But that’s not to say you would agree as sensitivity is objective. 
 

The Amistad will handle anything in the 3/8 to 1 oz range easily. I’ve never thrown anything over an ounce. I pitch jigs and texas rigs into lilly pads all year with no issues. It has a very strong backbone but a nice tip. It’s not a pool cue by any means and it’s super versatile. I believe the rod weighs 4.2 oz so it’s comfortable to maneuver all day. 
 

It is hard to find info on Falcon but I have called them directly on several occasions and they have always answered my questions and provided additional info I wasn’t aware of. They are a super helpful small company similar ALX

Ok right on thank you for answering my questions.

[newapti5]

I have Zolo Deputy casting rod and Zolo Maestro spinning rod. The Maestro is one of my favorites - It has great sensitivity and action. The Deputy, not as good as I expected it to be - the sensitivity is still good, but less impressive than the Maestro. And it's tip heavy. But the Deputy is quite strong though, perfect for 3/8~1/2oz jigs. 

 

I also have a Falcon Expert Hudson Special casting rod. Sensitivity wise, it's on bar with the Zolo Deputy, but it is a little softer, has a mod fast action instead of the fast action of Deputy.  I like it better for SM fishing, easier to keep them pinned.

[Chaos10691]

10 minutes ago, newapti5 said:

I have Zolo Deputy casting rod and Zolo Maestro spinning rod. The Maestro is one of my favorites - It has great sensitivity and action. The Deputy, not as good as I expected it to be - the sensitivity is still good, but less impressive than the Maestro. And it's tip heavy. But the Deputy is quite strong though, perfect for 3/8~1/2oz jigs. 

 

I also have a Falcon Expert Hudson Special casting rod. Sensitivity wise, it's on bar with the Zolo Deputy, but it is a little softer, has a mod fast action instead of the fast action of Deputy.  I like it better for SM fishing, easier to keep them pinned.

Right on I’m looking at the Falcon Expert Amistad which is probable more comparable to the Zolo Toadface I would assume though I could be wrong. But if sensitivity is on par for both rods I may just save $50 and go with the Expert. Though I do wish the corn didn’t have that awkward shape to it. Just a personal thing I highly doubt it affects performance.

[newapti5]

2 minutes ago, Chaos10691 said:

Right on I’m looking at the Falcon Expert Amistad which is probable more comparable to the Zolo Toadface I would assume though I could be wrong. But if sensitivity is on par for both rods I may just save $50 and go with the Expert. Though I do wish the corn didn’t have that awkward shape to it. Just a personal thing I highly doubt it affects performance.

 

Like many others said, sensitivity is a subjective thing. That being said, I really don't think there is much difference in sensitivity between Expert casting rods and Zolo casting rods.  Their spinning rods may be a different story that I don't know.

[FrankN209]

8 hours ago, 5by3 said:

I used to have a bunch of zolos and still own a few that I use for moving baits. Sensitivity was slightly above average for their price range in my hands. They are a good workhouse rod that can handle some abuse. Most of the zolos fish like a Loomis mag bass rod if you’re familiar with that rod action.

 

A few years ago I switched over to the zodias/expride rods. They are definitely more sensitive, but not sure about their durability yet. I had an expride tip snap on the cast (shimano replaced it at no cost)… but never broke a zolo. 

what was you casting on that expride? and what power was the rod?

[jbrew73]

I prefer the falcon rods weight, balance and sensitivity over alx.  
Falcon rods run very true to their weight(3/8, 1/2oz, etc)rating.  The actual power ratings(mh,hvy,etc) can be misleading compared to some other brands though. 

[Chaos10691]

21 minutes ago, jbrew73 said:

I prefer the falcon rods weight, balance and sensitivity over alx.  
Falcon rods run very true to their weight(3/8, 1/2oz, etc)rating.  The actual power ratings(mh,hvy,etc) can be misleading compared to some other brands though. 

Misleading how? Are they heavier or lighter than they say? I’m looking specifically at the Amistad and I do want a heavier rod than say a Lews MH but I don’t think I want a broomstick like a frog rod either.

[WRB]

Use the rod at night then you will know which rod feels better to you. Night removes the visual distractions and the sense of feel is greater. Hook setting is a specific skill for the angler to develop to meet his or her needs with the rod reel line being used.

Tom

[jbrew73]

A falcon heavy is more like some rod brands  mh for instance   I’d say Falcons run a 1/2 rating lighter than the rating.  
If a falcon says it’s good for say 1/2-1oz, that rating is true.  

[Chaos10691]

21 minutes ago, WRB said:

Use the rod at night then you will know which rod feels better to you. Night removes the visual distractions and the sense of feel is greater. Hook setting is a specific skill for the angler to develop to meet his or her needs with the rod reel line being used.

Tom

Unfortunately I don’t have any way to test both rods out before buying. I’m buying blind based on overall great reviews of the products. I’ve tried to find consistent themes in the reviews to try and build an idea of the rod if that makes sense. I know you had a bunch of custom rods from ALX. How much extra does he charge for a custom setup? Like if i wanted full cork and 1/4” longer handle could he do that?

23 minutes ago, jbrew73 said:

A falcon heavy is more like some rod brands  mh for instance   I’d say Falcons run a 1/2 rating lighter than the rating.  
If a falcon says it’s good for say 1/2-1oz, that rating is true.  

That’s kind of what I’m looking for then I suppose. Something more than a MH but not quite a full pool cue heavy.

[5by3]

2 hours ago, FrankN209 said:

what was you casting on that expride? and what power was the rod?

7’ medium spinning. Tube with a 1/4oz head.

[WRB]

Alex was a custom rod builder referred to me by Lamiglas when they stopped making custom rods. Alex had the rod blanks I needed and built the rods to my specs and reels I used.

I don’t know if Alex still uses several different rod blanks or just his own today? 

Tom

PS I have 2 custom rod and reel combos in the Flea Market now.

[GReb]

18 hours ago, jbrew73 said:

A falcon heavy is more like some rod brands  mh for instance   I’d say Falcons run a 1/2 rating lighter than the rating.  
If a falcon says it’s good for say 1/2-1oz, that rating is true.  

Falcon has a 6 and 7 power Heavy. Both are listed as “heavy” but there is definitely a difference. The 6 is more of a MH but the 7 fishes like a H in my opinion. The Amistad is a 7 power

[Chaos10691]

34 minutes ago, GReb said:

Falcon has a 6 and 7 power Heavy. Both are listed as “heavy” but there is definitely a difference. The 6 is more of a MH but the 7 fishes like a H in my opinion. The Amistad is a 7 power

That true for the Expert as well?

[Derek1]

1 hour ago, Chaos10691 said:

That true for the Expert as well?

I believe so

[Chaos10691]

2 minutes ago, Derek1 said:

I believe so

 Ok cool thank you.

[Derek1]

I have the expert head turner (6’10” heavy mod fast their 6 power). This rod is great at any single hook moving bait with a head weight of 3/8. It’s not bad with a half as long as theirs little to no cover. It’s also great with a 3/8’s jig and trailer as long as the cover is pretty light. When the veggies grow in the mod fast action doesn’t snap your bait clean as well as you’d like. Very sensitive dragging that jig. 
I also have the eye crosser in the Cara line 6’11 heavy fast action.  1/2-1-1/2   their 7 power. This is the rod I would recommend for your situation. I’ve used this rod for 3/8’s -3/4 jig and trailer. And paddle tails up to a 6” mag draft freestyle on a 3/8’s beast hook. It handles all of that and more just fine. Super sensitive rod. Also does well with a 3/8’s and bigger jackhammer. It was made to be just like the amistad in a shorter package. No worries about heavy cover either. Fantastic rod. Also not a broomstick. 
 

I recommend calling falcon. They are great to talk to. So far their advice has been spot on for me. 

[Chaos10691]

44 minutes ago, Derek1 said:

I have the expert head turner (6’10” heavy mod fast their 6 power). This rod is great at any single hook moving bait with a head weight of 3/8. It’s not bad with a half as long as theirs little to no cover. It’s also great with a 3/8’s jig and trailer as long as the cover is pretty light. When the veggies grow in the mod fast action doesn’t snap your bait clean as well as you’d like. Very sensitive dragging that jig. 
I also have the eye crosser in the Cara line 6’11 heavy fast action.  1/2-1-1/2   their 7 power. This is the rod I would recommend for your situation. I’ve used this rod for 3/8’s -3/4 jig and trailer. And paddle tails up to a 6” mag draft freestyle on a 3/8’s beast hook. It handles all of that and more just fine. Super sensitive rod. Also does well with a 3/8’s and bigger jackhammer. It was made to be just like the amistad in a shorter package. No worries about heavy cover either. Fantastic rod. Also not a broomstick. 
 

I recommend calling falcon. They are great to talk to. So far their advice has been spot on for me. 

Thank you for taking the time to write all that. I think I’ve decided I’m going to get the Expert Amistad. I may go with the Cara Amistad but I have to find out why it’s ratings are 1/2oz and up where as the expert is 3/8oz and up. Like you said I don’t want a broom stick but I do want a stout rod.

[GReb]

36 minutes ago, Chaos10691 said:

Thank you for taking the time to write all that. I think I’ve decided I’m going to get the Expert Amistad. I may go with the Cara Amistad but I have to find out why it’s ratings are 1/2oz and up where as the expert is 3/8oz and up. Like you said I don’t want a broom stick but I do want a stout rod.

Cara and Expert blanks have the same action for each model but are made of different material and the Cara is a little stronger power. This was according to someone I talked to at Falcon

 

The Cara and Expert feel very different to me. The Expert blank is very sensitive and provides great feedback but is more “muted”.

Meanwhile the Cara feels high strung and alive. The first few outings with the new Cara every limb or piece of grass I hit felt like a strike and I missed quite a few fish because I had a hard time discerning between the two. 

 

I personally like the feel of the Expert better and have an easier time telling what my bait is doing. The older Cara feels a lot more like the Expert than the new Cara does.