Falcon Expert Amistad for frogging

[Chaos10691]

Anyone used that rod for frogging? And if so how did you like it?

[swhit140]

I don't own the Amistad but I used the Froggin/Pitchin model which specs are basically the same besides rod length. Very solid stick for sure, Falcon has great rods and amazing warranty.

[new2BC4bass]

2 hours ago, swhit140 said:

I don't own the Amistad but I used the Froggin/Pitchin model which specs are basically the same besides rod length. Very solid stick for sure, Falcon has great rods and amazing warranty.

  And I have the Expert Amistad, but haven't had a reel on it yet.  I am also a fan of Falcon rods.

[casts_by_fly]

I just got the expert amistad for frogging and punching. I haven’t used it for frogs yet but its going to be great for it. I fished it with a heavy spinnerbait and it feels really good. It might be a bit heavy if you’re going to fish open-ish water and walk the frog but it would get it done. Next trip out I’m going to use that rod for an a-rig as I think it would be good for it also. 

[rangerjockey]

The Amistad is one of my favorite Falcons but mine are all 7 power Cara's. 

I seldom throw a frog around here but I would think it's a bit soft. I throw 3/8-1/2 oz. jigs and spinnerbaits and smaller swimbaits on mine. 

It also comes in a 8 power X heavy , Might be a better choice.

[Chaos10691]

On 4/11/2022 at 8:38 PM, casts_by_fly said:

I just got the expert amistad for frogging and punching. I haven’t used it for frogs yet but its going to be great for it. I fished it with a heavy spinnerbait and it feels really good. It might be a bit heavy if you’re going to fish open-ish water and walk the frog but it would get it done. Next trip out I’m going to use that rod for an a-rig as I think it would be good for it also. 

I know its been a while but how did your Amistad work out as a frog rod?

[MidwestBassAttack]

I LOVE the Amistad. In fact, have a Cara on the way this week!

 

I used the new Cara Amistad last season as a frogging stick. Never lost a fish. Had just the right amount of tip to launch a Spro 65 and enough give to let the fish take it good before I hammered him.

 

The Amistad XH is like a pool cue. That extra fast tip along with braid just rips that frog away.

[casts_by_fly]

6 hours ago, Chaos10691 said:

I know its been a while but how did your Amistad work out as a frog rod?

i picked up the amistad as a heavy flipping and frogging rod. Overall it’s a great rod.  If you’re pitching 3/8 plus rubber, or even better 1/2 oz plus rubber, it’s got great feel and power.  I fished it with 50 lb braid mostly but also a bit of 17 fluoro.

 

As a frog rod it is okay. It’s great for bombing and will cast a frog a mile. It has power for days and sets a mean hook. I have two issues in using it as a primary frog rod. The length is a bit much. If you’re hopping it tip up, it’s tough on a wrist and tiring.  Fishing it tip down, it’s a bit too long for me.  The other issue is that the length and heavier tip is just a bit too much for accurate casting a 1/2 oz frog. A straight half ounce is enough to pitch or bomb, but a sidearm or roll cast it isn’t quite enough. 
 

i don’t fish frogs enough to have a truly dedicated frog rod, so I picked which rod was throwing a frog this year based on which lake I was in and the cover. For bombing on bigger mats I kept the amistad and dealt with the size. The extra reach and ability to set the hook a full 100’ away with no qualms was nice. For smaller grass areas or throwing around mixed cover I used the 6’10” head turner (bucoo sr) with 50 braid. It was enough for those instances.  If I were to get a dedicated frog rod (and I’m still considering it) it would be the cara eye crosser. Similar butt and power, a bit shorter, and a lighter tip. 

[KP Duty]

Falcon's customer service is as good as it gets.  Their business is just a few miles from my house, and I heard they do rod repairs.  Called them a few days ago about them replacing a tip on one of my edge rods.  "Sure...bring it in anytime during normal business hours.  Tip replacements are $10."  ???

[Chaos10691]

On 10/18/2022 at 9:08 PM, casts_by_fly said:

i picked up the amistad as a heavy flipping and frogging rod. Overall it’s a great rod.  If you’re pitching 3/8 plus rubber, or even better 1/2 oz plus rubber, it’s got great feel and power.  I fished it with 50 lb braid mostly but also a bit of 17 fluoro.

 

As a frog rod it is okay. It’s great for bombing and will cast a frog a mile. It has power for days and sets a mean hook. I have two issues in using it as a primary frog rod. The length is a bit much. If you’re hopping it tip up, it’s tough on a wrist and tiring.  Fishing it tip down, it’s a bit too long for me.  The other issue is that the length and heavier tip is just a bit too much for accurate casting a 1/2 oz frog. A straight half ounce is enough to pitch or bomb, but a sidearm or roll cast it isn’t quite enough. 
 

i don’t fish frogs enough to have a truly dedicated frog rod, so I picked which rod was throwing a frog this year based on which lake I was in and the cover. For bombing on bigger mats I kept the amistad and dealt with the size. The extra reach and ability to set the hook a full 100’ away with no qualms was nice. For smaller grass areas or throwing around mixed cover I used the 6’10” head turner (bucoo sr) with 50 braid. It was enough for those instances.  If I were to get a dedicated frog rod (and I’m still considering it) it would be the cara eye crosser. Similar butt and power, a bit shorter, and a lighter tip. 

I was in a weird situation. I have an ALX Zolo Toadface that I wanted to use as a frog rod but that left me with the Amistad as my jig rod. Typically for jigs I like straight fluorocarbon. However I also needed a rod for punching. In the past I used my frog rod as my punching rod as well. Mind you I'm in a kayak so a lot of my rods have to pull double duty. In the end I decided on braid to leader for my jigs. Cut the leader for punching and the braid helps for the heavier cover. 

[casts_by_fly]

4 hours ago, Chaos10691 said:

I was in a weird situation. I have an ALX Zolo Toadface that I wanted to use as a frog rod but that left me with the Amistad as my jig rod. Typically for jigs I like straight fluorocarbon. However I also needed a rod for punching. In the past I used my frog rod as my punching rod as well. Mind you I'm in a kayak so a lot of my rods have to pull double duty. In the end I decided on braid to leader for my jigs. Cut the leader for punching and the braid helps for the heavier cover. 

 

 

I had to read this twice because it sounds almost identical so something I've typed before.  I'm also in a kayak and my rods tend to do double duty depending where I'm going.

 

I'm leaving my amistad with straight braid.  I run straight braid to plastics and jigs (and of course frogs).  It makes things simpler and I don't see any issues for the jigs and plastics I would be throwing on that rod and where I would be throwing them.  Mostly it is heavy cover, heavier weight, and faster falls, aka reaction bites.  In that case, I then have straight braid for frogs or A rigs in the spring (before the grass is up and I'd be fishing the rod with jigs and frogs).  The regular Amistad with 50 braid is a great rod to pull multiple duty in a kayak.  One top of the above you can load it up with a 110 plopper or big buzzbait, it will throw 3/4 oz and up spinnerbaits pretty well, and its not bad for dragging a carolina rig if you like that sort of thing (I do not).

[Chaos10691]

1 hour ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

 

I had to read this twice because it sounds almost identical so something I've typed before.  I'm also in a kayak and my rods tend to do double duty depending where I'm going.

 

I'm leaving my amistad with straight braid.  I run straight braid to plastics and jigs (and of course frogs).  It makes things simpler and I don't see any issues for the jigs and plastics I would be throwing on that rod and where I would be throwing them.  Mostly it is heavy cover, heavier weight, and faster falls, aka reaction bites.  In that case, I then have straight braid for frogs or A rigs in the spring (before the grass is up and I'd be fishing the rod with jigs and frogs).  The regular Amistad with 50 braid is a great rod to pull multiple duty in a kayak.  One top of the above you can load it up with a 110 plopper or big buzzbait, it will throw 3/4 oz and up spinnerbaits pretty well, and its not bad for dragging a carolina rig if you like that sort of thing (I do not).

Hey good deal I appreciate the info.

[casts_by_fly]

On 10/20/2022 at 8:49 AM, Chaos10691 said:

I was in a weird situation. I have an ALX Zolo Toadface that I wanted to use as a frog rod but that left me with the Amistad as my jig rod. Typically for jigs I like straight fluorocarbon. However I also needed a rod for punching. In the past I used my frog rod as my punching rod as well. Mind you I'm in a kayak so a lot of my rods have to pull double duty. In the end I decided on braid to leader for my jigs. Cut the leader for punching and the braid helps for the heavier cover. 

so in the interest of put your money where your mouth is, I bought the cara eye crosser today. I got a used-excellent one that looks pretty clean. I’ve been considering them

a while and finding this one basically a third off was too good to pass. I have a spare stx without a home that already has 50 lb braid on it so…

[Chaos10691]

1 hour ago, casts_by_fly said:

so in the interest of put your money where your mouth is, I bought the cara eye crosser today. I got a used-excellent one that looks pretty clean. I’ve been considering them

a while and finding this one basically a third off was too good to pass. I have a spare stx without a home that already has 50 lb braid on it so…

Stx?

[casts_by_fly]

10 hours ago, Chaos10691 said:

Stx?

abu Garcia revo STX. Gen 4. A favorite of mine. 

[Cbump]

On 4/11/2022 at 11:55 AM, swhit140 said:

I don't own the Amistad but I used the Froggin/Pitchin model which specs are basically the same besides rod length. Very solid stick for sure, Falcon has great rods and amazing warranty.

Is the froggin/pitchin the current Bayou? 

[Cbump]

Hope so cuz I just bought the Bayou for both!