Garcia Veritas PLX / Falcon Cara - Spinnerbaits

[LrgmouthShad]

Hey ya'll, 

 

Anyone have experience with either of these rod lines? Somewhere down the line, maybe after graduation, looking to get a new spinnerbait rod. I love my iRod Stone Cold Swim and Vibrating Jig Rod to death. It's my favorite that I own, and it works well with a lot of different lures. With a buzzbait especially, it's lights out. I just have one problem with it when I'm fishing spinnerbaits shallow: it's too long. So, been looking for a rod 6'9" and under, medium heavy, moderate fast action. There are not a lot of rods that I've found that meet this specification. But I found two rods, the Veritas PLX and the Falcon Cara. I really like the look of the Cara even though it comes with a larger price tag. The Cara comes in at 6'8" and the Veritas PLX comes in at 6'6". I thought about just shooting @CrashVector a message about the Garcia PLX ? but figured I'd ask everybody about these two options. What do ya'll think? 

[Mojo Bass]

I have a Veritas plx and it’s been nothing but great to me, so I’d have to vote for that….. I can’t comment on the other rod though 

[MiceNReets]

I have a couple veritas PLX rods and they’re a great rod for the price point.   They’re very enjoyable to fish.    I can’t comment on the other rod though.  

i don’t think you’d be disappointed with the veritas and Abu has a great warranty 

[CrashVector]

The plx is a great rod no doubt.  However, I'd spend the few extra $ and get the plx tournament edition if you're able to.

 

The plx TE rod is my mid-range rod of preference, as it performs above it's price point.

 

I can't comment on the Cara, but it's $250.  The TE is $180.

 

 

[LrgmouthShad]

15 minutes ago, CrashVector said:

The plx is a great rod no doubt.  However, I'd spend the few extra $ and get the plx tournament edition if you're able to.

 

The plx TE rod is my mid-range rod of preference, as it performs above it's price point.

 

I can't comment on the Cara, but it's $250.  The TE is $180.

 

 

Thanks man. Totally off topic question. This one I did try and direct message you about but it says you cannot receive messages yet. Weird. I’ve had a REVO winch for maybe eight months now and wanted to lube it up some. Where are the lube ports normally on Garcia reels and how much lube should I put in? I can’t find the dang lube port ?

[CrashVector]

12 minutes ago, LrgmouthShad said:

Thanks man. Totally off topic question. This one I did try and direct message you about but it says you cannot receive messages yet. Weird. I’ve had a REVO winch for maybe eight months now and wanted to lube it up some. Where are the lube ports normally on Garcia reels and how much lube should I put in? I can’t find the dang lube port ?

 

https://www.abugarcia.com/pages/abugarcia-ae-grease-oil-maintenance-points

 

The lube port is on the gear side underneath the reel.  You should see a small square window.  Remove the Phillips screw, and it gives access to the main gear for lubrication.

 

You don't need much at all.  I use Rem-Oil in a micro-dropper, and bps red reel grease that comes in a little squeeze tube.

[LrgmouthShad]

4 minutes ago, CrashVector said:

 

https://www.abugarcia.com/pages/abugarcia-ae-grease-oil-maintenance-points

 

The lube port is on the gear side underneath the reel.  You should see a small square window.  Remove the Phillips screw, and it gives access to the main gear for lubrication.

 

You don't need much at all.  I use Rem-Oil in a micro-dropper, and bps red reel grease that comes in a little squeeze tube.

I just put in a little of the oil that the reel comes with in the package. Thanks! 

[Derek1]

I have the falcon head turner, but in the expert line up. It’s awesome with any single hook moving bait. Jason christy uses the Cara head turner for spinnerbaits, and he’s the man with a spinnerbait. It’s super sensitive and pretty versatile. 

[LrgmouthShad]

3 minutes ago, Derek1 said:

Jason christy uses the Cara head turner for spinnerbaits

I’m not sure why I didn’t pay more attention to the head turner. That is a really interesting rod. A little longer than I’d like I think, but Im not sure. After all, if it is Christie’s spinnerbait rod… hm. I will have to consider that one too. Thanks

[Bankc]

I have a couple of the Veritas PLX rods.  I like them a lot.  Very light, sensitive and well made.  However, they do have a few drawbacks.  First off, the white handles will get dirty, quick.  I don't care about that myself.  But other people might.  Second, they're heavier than their power rating implies.  For instance, my medium-light feels almost like my medium rods, but perhaps just a hair shy of being a full blown medium power.  And my heavy, I use for glide baits and A-rigs.  Even the lure rating seems to be a bit lighter than reality, in my opinion.  Like my ML/F says it's for 1/8oz. to 1/2oz.  I'd say it's more like 3/16oz. to 5/8oz.  An 05 Shad Rap is about the lightest lure I can comfortably throw on it, and even then, you can tell that the rod doesn't quite load as well as it should.  

 

But so long as you know those things going into it, I think you'll really like these rods.  

[LrgmouthShad]

1 minute ago, Bankc said:

I have a couple of the Veritas PLX rods.  I like them a lot.  Very light, sensitive and well made.  However, they do have a few drawbacks.  First off, the white handles will get dirty, quick.  I don't care about that myself.  But other people might.  Second, they're heavier than their power rating implies.  For instance, my medium-light feels almost like my medium rods, but perhaps just a hair shy of being a full blown medium power.  And my heavy, I use for glide baits and A-rigs.  Even the lure rating seems to be a bit lighter than reality, in my opinion.  Like my ML/F says it's for 1/8oz. to 1/2oz.  I'd say it's more like 3/16oz. to 5/8oz.  An 05 Shad Rap is about the lightest lure I can comfortably throw on it, and even then, you can tell that the rod doesn't quite load as well as it should.  

 

But so long as you know those things going into it, I think you'll really like these rods.  

Really helpful, thank you

[Derek1]

13 minutes ago, LrgmouthShad said:

I’m not sure why I didn’t pay more attention to the head turner. That is a really interesting rod. A little longer than I’d like I think, but Im not sure. After all, if it is Christie’s spinnerbait rod… hm. I will have to consider that one too. Thanks

It’s 6’-8”. It say it’s a heavy but it’s closer to medium heavy. Really cool rod. 

Sorry it’s 6’-10”

[LrgmouthShad]

3 minutes ago, Derek1 said:

It’s 6’-8”. It say it’s a heavy but it’s closer to medium heavy. Really cool rod. 

Uhh could you check that? I see a 6'8" medium heavy but not a heavy. The heavy is 6'10" and that one says heavy head turner

[Derek1]

1 minute ago, LrgmouthShad said:

Uhh could you check that? I see a 6'8" medium heavy but not a heavy. The heavy is 6'10" and that one says heavy head turner

Yeah, I messed up it’s 6’-10”

[GReb]

Falcon Head Turner is a great spinnerbait rod. That’s what it was designed for. I have 2 Experts and a Cara. The Cara uses a hair stiffer blank and the action may be a tad quicker. Personally I prefer the Expert for straight retrieve presentations such as spinnerbaits and chatterbaits. The Cara is better for swim jigs, t-rig, finesse jigs, etc. 

[new2BC4bass]

The 2 Abu rods (Villains) I have fish heavy.  Falcons tend to fish a little light.  I've got 6 of them in various models.  Zero experience with the PLX.  You might want to consider the Falcon Lowrider 6'7" MH-Moderate Fast.  I've no experience with that particular rod so can't give an opinion on it other than I like Falcon rods.    From what I've read the Lowrider fishes above its price.

[LrgmouthShad]

8 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

The 2 Abu rods (Villains) I have fish heavy.  Falcons tend to fish a little light.  I've got 6 of them in various models.  Zero experience with the PLX.  You might want to consider the Falcon Lowrider 6'7" MH-Moderate Fast.  I've no experience with that particular rod so can't give an opinion on it other than I like Falcon rods.    From what I've read the Lowrider fishes above its price.

Also a great suggestion, thanks

[rangerjockey]

The Head Turner was designed to be Short flipping rod but it's really versatile. I use it for spinnerbaits/chatterbaits ever bigger squarebills.  If that's the length your looking for it's a great choice. If you're considering a longer rod for more open water stuff the Falcon Amistad is the way to go. It's a great jig and smaller swimbait rod also.

The 6ft 7 weightless worm rod is too soft for a spinnerbait rod IMHO. Here in the Ozarks it's legendary as a jerkbait rod and of course the ol' floatin' worm.

 I haven't fished a ABU product in 30 years so can't comment there.

[Catt]

Jason Christie - Falcon - Spinnerbaits 

 

What's the question ?

[Blaine Donders]

I have both a Cara Head Turner and a PLX Tournament. I can’t put them head to head, as my Abu is a ML. It’s my tube rod and it’s nice. 
Other than the Carbon grip, which rocks, it’s no match for the Cara’s blank. I haven’t touched a rod yet that is more sensitive with spinners or vibrating jigs. With that said, I have owned a Dobyns HP704C. Even with bottom contact, I prefer the Cara.

[casts_by_fly]

I have fished the bucoo head turner for a year and I have the expert version on the way now. If you like a faster rod with power up high in the rod then it’s a great action. Just today I handled the bucoo 6’6” ‘Herm’ and I think it would be a great spinnerbait rod if you like a short rod. A little less power up the rod compared to a head turned but a little more than the 7’ rods.

 

rick

[LrgmouthShad]

On 3/30/2022 at 2:42 PM, GReb said:

Falcon Head Turner is a great spinnerbait rod. That’s what it was designed for. I have 2 Experts and a Cara. The Cara uses a hair stiffer blank and the action may be a tad quicker. Personally I prefer the Expert for straight retrieve presentations such as spinnerbaits and chatterbaits. The Cara is better for swim jigs, t-rig, finesse jigs, etc. 

Falcon Expert Head Turner is what I wound up deciding on. Very tough decision for me. I almost went off the deep end and got the Cara, but I remembered your comment about the difference in blanks between Expert/Cara and went with the Expert. 

 

Got the Head Turner and an iRod Spook/Trap rod off TW's memorial day sale. Bait monkey got me good.

 

THANK YALL for your suggestions! This thread was very, very helpful to me. 

[casts_by_fly]

can't wait to hear the verdict on it.  I keep my head turner as a short pitching rod with mono for when I'm around brush and trees (the amistad with braid does grass and pads pitching) but it also does double duty for bladed baits depending what else I have on which rods.  I tend to like a MF for blade baits but the head turner also fishes a spinnerbait really well.  I've got a dozen and a half trips in with the expert head turner now and its a great rod.

 

If you like topwaters it works really well as a big walking bait rod too.  The faster tip gives really good control.  

[LrgmouthShad]

On 5/24/2022 at 2:32 PM, casts_by_fly said:

can't wait to hear the verdict on it

Okay here goes. I really like it. Think it is exactly what I was looking for. Fished with it about 5ish hours today and caught a couple bass, one 4lbs, and a 9.1 channel catfish. Very comfortable rod, love the cork grips. Sensitivity is great, maybe just a hair better than the iRod I was using. Think it fishes a lot like a moderate fast, roll casts effortlessly, but is seriously strong. I was actually kind of surprised because it handles fish like a ‘heavy’ rod. The catfish mighta strained it just a lil, but no problem of course. Seems like it’s sweet spot is with your standard 1/2oz spinnerbait with trailer, which is nice. Yeah, I really like the thing. Good purchase 

[ATA]

On 3/30/2022 at 6:58 AM, LrgmouthShad said:

Veritas PLX

they are heavy rods, but god knows they are work horses you can beat them up for decades. I have one for large swim baits and that was my only choice for that weight of lures, I suggest you to go with it if you looking for something solid for the rest of your life ?