Falcon HD Rods

[LrgmouthShad]

Hey ya’ll,

 

Was walking through an Academy yesterday and couldn’t believe all the rods they had lined up everywhere. So naturally I couldn’t resist feeling some of them in my hands. The one I was most impressed with, actually, was a Falcon HD rod. Anyone own any of these? Great price on them too, think they went for 70 at Academy. Just asking out of curiosity

 

[BayouSlide]

No HDs, but l have a number of the Falcon Lowriders, like 'em a lot and would be extremely hard to beat them for the price

[T-Billy]

1 hour ago, BayouSlide said:

No HDs, but l have a number of the Falcon Lowriders, like 'em a lot and would be extremely hard to beat them for the price

I've never fished a Lowrider, but I've checked 'em out in my local shop. They're the only rods I've found at that price point that compare to the Ark Tharps. Very nice rods.

[LrgmouthShad]

1 hour ago, BayouSlide said:

No HDs, but l have a number of the Falcon Lowriders, like 'em a lot and would be extremely hard to beat them for the price

 

1 minute ago, T-Billy said:

I've never fished a Lowrider, but I've checked 'em out in my local shop. They're the only rods I've found at that price point that compare to the Ark Tharps. Very nice rods.

Well, my experience is good with Falcon thus far. That Expert Head Turner for spinnerbaits is the bomb diggity

[casts_by_fly]

I’m a big falcon fan but I’ve only handled the HD, not owned or fished one. They seem fine at the price but I would go bucoo for a couple dollars more. If a low rider price is in budget that will upgrade a bucoo to cork, a little better components, and a little nicer blank. 

[LrgmouthShad]

1 minute ago, casts_by_fly said:

I’m a big falcon fan but I’ve only handled the HD, not owned or fished one. They seem fine at the price but I would go bucoo for a couple dollars more. If a low rider price is in budget that will upgrade a bucoo to cork, a little better components, and a little nicer blank. 

If I remember correctly I handled a bucoo spinning and did not like it

[casts_by_fly]

I have the bucoo in the 7’ 5-power, 6-power, and the pitching stick (head turner). They are pretty good rods especially for the price. I haven’t used all of the $100 rods on the market but I’m confident they would be near the top in a test.

 

Compared to the expert, the bucoo pitchin stick/head turner is just a touch stiffer a touch higher, has about the same last 12”, and the same bottom 2’ of blank. I retired it when I got my expert but it’s coming back out with braid as a frog rod. 

[T-Billy]

I checked 'em out on Falcons website. Look like moving bait rods to me as all but one casting model is either a mod or mod-fast blank.

[BayouSlide]

2 hours ago, T-Billy said:

I checked 'em out on Falcons website. Look like moving bait rods to me as all but one casting model is either a mod or mod-fast blank.

 

Seven of the 16 casting models of Lowriders are listed strictly as fast. They even offer their 7 ft. All Around in two different models: a fast or mod-fast.

 

Their Weightless Worm rod is a mod-fast but is excellent for wacky Senkos.

[mrpao]

I own four of the 7' med spinning rods.

I use them mainly for float fishing for trout and channel cats.

I feel they would do well as a budget bass rod also.  I have felt the different models at academy and they all feel pretty good for the price. You can usually get them for cheaper when academy has their 20% off sales.

I would hesitate to use them for bass if i needed too. To me the action is between a fast and a moderate fast - but closer to a fast action. 

I really like the rods and wouldn't have any issues picking up more in the casting or spinning versions. I do feel they fish above their price point.

[T-Billy]

5 hours ago, BayouSlide said:

 

Seven of the 16 casting models of Lowriders are listed strictly as fast. They even offer their 7 ft. All Around in two different models: a fast or mod-fast.

 

Their Weightless Worm rod is a mod-fast but is excellent for wacky Senkos.

Sorry, I wasn't very clear. I was talking about the HD's.

[Basswhippa]

The HD was Falcons practice run in sending their American made rods to China.  They have been out a long time and Falcon did its best to stay American made.  They are just a well made China made rod now, like a lot of others.  Not judging,  I'd say working in any rod makers warranty would have anyone looking for cost savings. Falcon was a favorite brand of mine.  Not opposed to using them now, but there's no ",made in America" appeal to me after using them for nearly 30 years.

 

I'm sure the HD built today is fine.

[LrgmouthShad]

7 minutes ago, Basswhippa said:

The HD was Falcons practice run in sending their American made rods to China.  They have been out a long time an Falcon did its best to stay American made.  They are just a well made China made rod now, like a lot of others.  Not judging,  I'd say working in any rod makers warranty would have anyone looking for cost savings. Falcon was a favorite brand of mine.  Not opposed to using them now, but there's no ",made in America" appeal to me after using them for nearly 30 years.

 

I'm sure the HD built today is fine.

Cool, interesting info. I’m a fan of iRods and I believe those are still USA made. They comprise 4/7 of my baitcasters. 

[MAN]

2 hours ago, Basswhippa said:

The HD was Falcons practice run in sending their American made rods to China.  They have been out a long time an Falcon did its best to stay American made.  They are just a well made China made rod now, like a lot of others.  Not judging,  I'd say working in any rod makers warranty would have anyone looking for cost savings. Falcon was a favorite brand of mine.  Not opposed to using them now, but there's no ",made in America" appeal to me after using them for nearly 30 years.

 

I'm sure the HD built today is fine.

Spot on.  I was lucky enough to be a part of that whole practice run and had learned a lot from it.  The HD rods themselves are some of my favorite out there for the price. 

[zell_pop1]

19 hours ago, BayouSlide said:

 

Seven of the 16 casting models of Lowriders are listed strictly as fast. They even offer their 7 ft. All Around in two different models: a fast or mod-fast.

 

Their Weightless Worm rod is a mod-fast but is excellent for wacky Senkos.

Strange the "Weightless Worm" 6'7" rod was always listed as xfast before as was the spinning one "Bass Spin". 

[Phil77]

I have a few of them I use as live bait rigs for catfish paired with Abu and Shimano round reels. I've been impressed with them for the price. They don't have any problem setting hooks and landing channel and flathead's. 

[Munkin]

I have a 6-8 Lowrider baitcaster that lists as a fast action but to me it's more of a moderate fast. This is what I use for spinnerbaits and would like to find another one or a Cara version. 

 

Allen 

[thedad65]

Just a quick question I have tried the ego in medium power, and an HD in med heavy. The Evo seems very stiff for a medium, can barely cast a 3/16 oz Shakey head more than 40 ft, but the HD slings the same thing out 75 80 ft. I put 1/2 oz on the Evo and it's overloaded. Any ideas, feel like the guides are on the opposite side of the spine.

[MontclairDave]

I assume the OP has since moved on but for those of you who are still interested, I have the HD medium power and for $70 I can’t imagine doing any better than this rod, other than Daiwa Airdx, but I think the Airdx has micro guides, which I despise. 

[LrgmouthShad]

34 minutes ago, MontclairDave said:

I assume the OP has since moved on

 

Yeah that thing was a rod in Academy. Don’t know if it’s cool or what 

 

Y’all get a nice haircut? 

[casts_by_fly]

On 6/24/2022 at 6:42 PM, Munkin said:

I have a 6-8 Lowrider baitcaster that lists as a fast action but to me it's more of a moderate fast. This is what I use for spinnerbaits and would like to find another one or a Cara version. 

 

Allen 

 

Did you ever get the Cara 6'8" MH?  I have one here that I've fished for a season and a half.  I go back and forth between loving it and being indifferent to it.  If I had a boat and carried a dozen rods at a clip I'd love it, but in the kayak carrying only 5 it often gets left home.

[The Pond King]

I have one. A 7' MHF. Chinese made or not, it's a good rod period and an excellent value for the money. It balances better than an Avid 7' MHF and is slightly more sensitive, too. It also has Fuji guides and decent cork. Plus, it's only a third of the price of an Avid. I like buying American made, but you can't deny that this rod punches wayyy above its weight. I also handled a $80 Falcon Evo 7' MF spinning rod at Walmart and was shocked at how light and sensitive it was. Again, it beat out an equivalent St. Croix Avid 7' MF spinning in terms balance and sensitivity. They're cheap in terms of price, but they are good quality.