The Falcon rods thread

[MyKeyBe]

11 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

that’s my basic interpretation as well. Componentry looks the same. My guess is so that the two bigs (Walmart and academy) can have their own lines and not compete with each other on price when one goes on sale. 

I'm starting to wonder if the Evo/HD price point is too high for Walmart and the Evo will be going away, at least from Walmart?

 

I just noticed the other day Falcon has a new line of Altrax rods on their website for $50.00. I wonder if those are going to be the new Walmart/low price point rods? EVA and no mention of components or warranty. It would kind of make sense if your trying to sell rods at a big box retailer like Walmart.

[casts_by_fly]

56 minutes ago, MyKeyBe said:

I'm starting to wonder if the Evo/HD price point is too high for Walmart and the Evo will be going away, at least from Walmart?

 

I just noticed the other day Falcon has a new line of Altrax rods on their website for $50.00. I wonder if those are going to be the new Walmart/low price point rods? EVA and no mention of components or warranty. It would kind of make sense if your trying to sell rods at a big box retailer like Walmart.

 

Yeah, I think $50 is the pricepoint for walmart and that's what the altrax are for.  We'll see if they are any good.  I think they will keep the HD/Evo as the Academy/DSG/local shop level cheap rods.  Then the Bucoo are the upper entry rods.  Between the HD and the Evo I image for now they will split them and some will go to brick and mortar while the other goes online based stores.  They will want to use one of them as the retailer's semi exclusive series.  That way the retailer has a lot more control over promotions and sales without having to compete with a different retailer (since it's two different products).  On the consumer side, I don't see much difference between them without holding them in the hand.

[rtwvumtneer6]

If anyone has the chance to get their hands on the new Expert Bayou, the Cara JC Flippin (7'10", not the Amistad XH) or the Ouachita Special, I'd love to hear your opinions! 

[casts_by_fly]

5 hours ago, rtwvumtneer6 said:

If anyone has the chance to get their hands on the new Expert Bayou, the Cara JC Flippin (7'10", not the Amistad XH) or the Ouachita Special, I'd love to hear your opinions! 

The bayou is basically the eye crosser. And the new experts looks like the same blanks as the old ones. The other two are new though.  Or at least newly released.  Christie has talked about the flippin rod in some of his videos. I think I he kept a few in the closet after they stopped making it. 

[dk2429]

I recently got my first Cara, the Heavy Cover Jig. Got it for Texas rigs/jigs from 1/4oz to 3/8oz

 

I'm just curious if anyone with this rod thinks that it's a bit tip-heavy and not that well-balanced. I have a Daiwa Tatula Elite on it. Haven't got to use it a whole lot yet, but I feel like I have to "work" harder than I should to keep the rod tip up (if that makes any sense). This is even with no bait tied on

 

Could just be me, but I expected the Cara to be nice and balanced.  

[casts_by_fly]

26 minutes ago, dk2429 said:

I recently got my first Cara, the Heavy Cover Jig. Got it for Texas rigs/jigs from 1/4oz to 3/8oz

 

I'm just curious if anyone with this rod thinks that it's a bit tip-heavy and not that well-balanced. I have a Daiwa Tatula Elite on it. Haven't got to use it a whole lot yet, but I feel like I have to "work" harder than I should to keep the rod tip up (if that makes any sense). This is even with no bait tied on

 

Could just be me, but I expected the Cara to be nice and balanced.  

I know what you’re saying.  I think it’s because the taper of the rod is a little more balanced coming down the rod. It doesn’t have a hair light tip which is what makes a lot of rods less swing heavy. And it’s 7’4” which isn’t short. I wish it had a  full cork handle like the deep runner-that would help a bit. I have a zillion on mine which is the same weight as the tat elite and while it feels a little tip heavy at home I don’t find the same on the water. That said, I threw a bantam on it just today actually which is about an ounce heavier and it feels just a little better on the bench. I’m sure I won’t notice it on the water and it will fish great. 

[dk2429]

29 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

I know what you’re saying.  I think it’s because the taper of the rod is a little more balanced coming down the rod. It doesn’t have a hair light tip which is what makes a lot of rods less swing heavy. And it’s 7’4” which isn’t short. I wish it had a  full cork handle like the deep runner-that would help a bit. I have a zillion on mine which is the same weight as the tat elite and while it feels a little tip heavy at home I don’t find the same on the water. That said, I threw a bantam on it just today actually which is about an ounce heavier and it feels just a little better on the bench. I’m sure I won’t notice it on the water and it will fish great. 

Okay, so it isn’t just me. And yeah, it’s a very nice rod otherwise and I plan to keep it. 
 

I noticed this same thing in store with the Lowrider HCJ. I ordered the Cara expecting that tip-heavy feel to go away but it’s the same. 
 

I will say.. I ordered a Dobyns SA735 at the same time I got the Cara. The Dobyns is noticeably better balanced. 
 

I’ll probably get used to it. I have a lot of time off work coming up that will be committed to fishing so I’ll be able to really put it through the paces. I only got to throw it around at a pond a little bit after I got it. 

[casts_by_fly]

52 minutes ago, dk2429 said:

Okay, so it isn’t just me. And yeah, it’s a very nice rod otherwise and I plan to keep it. 
 

I noticed this same thing in store with the Lowrider HCJ. I ordered the Cara expecting that tip-heavy feel to go away but it’s the same. 
 

I will say.. I ordered a Dobyns SA735 at the same time I got the Cara. The Dobyns is noticeably better balanced. 
 

I’ll probably get used to it. I have a lot of time off work coming up that will be committed to fishing so I’ll be able to really put it through the paces. I only got to throw it around at a pond a little bit after I got it. 

I think you’ll probably find that the dobyns is a bit heavier overall if you have a scale. They are known to back weight their rods in the butt to minimize swing weight at the expense of total weight. Full grips help that. After you’ve fished it a couple times then let’s talk. It’s a great rod for what you’ve picked it for. 

[dk2429]

21 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

I think you’ll probably find that the dobyns is a bit heavier overall if you have a scale. They are known to back weight their rods in the butt to minimize swing weight at the expense of total weight. Full grips help that. After you’ve fished it a couple times then let’s talk. It’s a great rod for what you’ve picked it for. 

I just scored a brand new Lowrider Lizard Dragger for $49.99 at Academy along with a mountain of baits

 

What do y’all like the Lizard Dragger for? 

21 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

I think you’ll probably find that the dobyns is a bit heavier overall if you have a scale. They are known to back weight their rods in the butt to minimize swing weight at the expense of total weight. Full grips help that. After you’ve fished it a couple times then let’s talk. It’s a great rod for what you’ve picked it for. 

I just scored a brand new Lowrider Lizard Dragger for $49.99 at Academy along with a mountain of baits

 

What do y’all like the Lizard Dragger for? 

21 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

I think you’ll probably find that the dobyns is a bit heavier overall if you have a scale. They are known to back weight their rods in the butt to minimize swing weight at the expense of total weight. Full grips help that. After you’ve fished it a couple times then let’s talk. It’s a great rod for what you’ve picked it for. 

I just scored a brand new Lowrider Lizard Dragger for $49.99 at Academy along with a mountain of baits

 

What do y’all like the Lizard Dragger for? 

21 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

I think you’ll probably find that the dobyns is a bit heavier overall if you have a scale. They are known to back weight their rods in the butt to minimize swing weight at the expense of total weight. Full grips help that. After you’ve fished it a couple times then let’s talk. It’s a great rod for what you’ve picked it for. 

I just scored a brand new Lowrider Lizard Dragger for $49.99 at Academy along with a mountain of baits

 

What do y’all like the Lizard Dragger for? 

21 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

I think you’ll probably find that the dobyns is a bit heavier overall if you have a scale. They are known to back weight their rods in the butt to minimize swing weight at the expense of total weight. Full grips help that. After you’ve fished it a couple times then let’s talk. It’s a great rod for what you’ve picked it for. 

I just scored a brand new Lowrider Lizard Dragger for $49.99 at Academy along with a mountain of baits

 

What do y’all like the Lizard Dragger for? 

21 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

I think you’ll probably find that the dobyns is a bit heavier overall if you have a scale. They are known to back weight their rods in the butt to minimize swing weight at the expense of total weight. Full grips help that. After you’ve fished it a couple times then let’s talk. It’s a great rod for what you’ve picked it for. 

I just scored a brand new Lowrider Lizard Dragger for $49.99 at Academy along with a mountain of baits

 

What do y’all like the Lizard Dragger for? 

21 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

I think you’ll probably find that the dobyns is a bit heavier overall if you have a scale. They are known to back weight their rods in the butt to minimize swing weight at the expense of total weight. Full grips help that. After you’ve fished it a couple times then let’s talk. It’s a great rod for what you’ve picked it for. 

I just scored a brand new Lowrider Lizard Dragger for $49.99 at Academy along with a mountain of baits

 

What do y’all like the Lizard Dragger for? 

Also sorry about the amount of replies!! I’m not sure what happened there

[casts_by_fly]

1 hour ago, dk2429 said:

I just scored a brand new Lowrider Lizard Dragger for $49.99 at Academy along with a mountain of baits

 

What do y’all like the Lizard Dragger for? 

I just scored a brand new Lowrider Lizard Dragger for $49.99 at Academy along with a mountain of baits

 

What do y’all like the Lizard Dragger for? 

I just scored a brand new Lowrider Lizard Dragger for $49.99 at Academy along with a mountain of baits

 

Also sorry about the amount of replies!! I’m not sure what happened there

probably hit reply a couple times before it refreshed your page to tell you that it took it. Then it combined all of the replies. 
 

I don’t have the low rider version but I have the bucoo 6-17 which is the same as the dragger 1. I don’t fish it near as much anymore since I only carry 5 rods. For the longest time though that was my ‘bigger’ spinnerbait and bladed jig rod, specifically 1/2 oz plus a bigger chunk of plastic. It’s also the perfect rod for a 110 sized plopper. It’s labeled a fast action but it’s a little more moderate than a true fast I think. It’s not fast enough to be a jig or worm rod to me. 

[dk2429]

30 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

probably hit reply a couple times before it refreshed your page to tell you that it took it. Then it combined all of the replies. 
 

I don’t have the low rider version but I have the bucoo 6-17 which is the same as the dragger 1. I don’t fish it near as much anymore since I only carry 5 rods. For the longest time though that was my ‘bigger’ spinnerbait and bladed jig rod, specifically 1/2 oz plus a bigger chunk of plastic. It’s also the perfect rod for a 110 sized plopper. It’s labeled a fast action but it’s a little more moderate than a true fast I think. It’s not fast enough to be a jig or worm rod to me. 

Thanks for the reply. Yeah I got it home and rigged up a jig on it and can tell it’s a bit more moderate for sure. 
 

Do any of y’all have any idea what Falcon’s policy is on trading in a rod to upgrade? I know Dobyns has a system when you can trade your rod with cash on top to upgrade. If Falcon has something similar to that I wouldn’t mind trading in for an Expert or Cara 

[MyKeyBe]

Might make a good Carolina rig rod.

 

Might make a good Carolina rig rod.

 

Might make a good Carolina rig rod.

 

Might make a decent shorter frog rod. 😂 With braid I actually like a little slower rod even for frogs.

 

[casts_by_fly]

5 minutes ago, dk2429 said:

Thanks for the reply. Yeah I got it home and rigged up a jig on it and can tell it’s a bit more moderate for sure. 
 

Do any of y’all have any idea what Falcon’s policy is on trading in a rod to upgrade? I know Dobyns has a system when you can trade your rod with cash on top to upgrade. If Falcon has something similar to that I wouldn’t mind trading in for an Expert or Cara 

for a warranty replacement they will let you upgrade for the retail difference. On just a rod?  You’d have to call or email and ask. 

[dk2429]

1 minute ago, casts_by_fly said:

for a warranty replacement they will let you upgrade for the retail difference. On just a rod?  You’d have to call or email and ask. 

Yeah I know they will for warranty replacement. Wasn’t sure if they’d just let you trade a non-broken rod in. I’ll give them a call Monday and see

[casts_by_fly]

1 minute ago, MyKeyBe said:

Might make a good Carolina rig rod.

 

Might make a good Carolina rig rod.

 

Might make a good Carolina rig rod.

 

Might make a decent shorter frog rod. 😂 With braid I actually like a little slower rod even for frogs.

 

with braid you can get by as a Carolina rig rod, but if you’re planning to drag a half ounce and a chunk you can do better in the falcon lineup. 

[GReb]

The dragger is a good buzz bait and swim jig rod

On 2/6/2025 at 9:09 PM, dk2429 said:

I recently got my first Cara, the Heavy Cover Jig. Got it for Texas rigs/jigs from 1/4oz to 3/8oz

 

I'm just curious if anyone with this rod thinks that it's a bit tip-heavy and not that well-balanced. I have a Daiwa Tatula Elite on it. Haven't got to use it a whole lot yet, but I feel like I have to "work" harder than I should to keep the rod tip up (if that makes any sense). This is even with no bait tied on

 

Could just be me, but I expected the Cara to be nice and balanced.  

Most every 7’4 heavy power rod is going to be tip heavy unless they add counter weight to the rod. The dobyns is probably an ounce plus heavier but Gary made his rods to balance not be light weight. The Cara is around 4.2 ounces from my memory. I’d bet the Sierra is 5.5. Comes down to individual preference and reel choice can play a factor. 
 

But if you’re comparing the Cara and Sierra it’s no contest. You’d have to bump up to Champion Extreme to even have a legitimate discussion. 

[new2BC4bass]

I was going to mention what two other posters have already said.  I can't get to the file on my laptop (hasn't worked in 2 years), but I have the weights of a number of rods listed in a file.  Dobyns are known for their balance, but are heavier than many comparable rods.

 

If you really want to know what tip heavy is, try an old Daiwa Ballistic 7'7" MR casting rod.  Hope you've been working out at the gym.    It's a wrist beater.

[MyKeyBe]

5 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

with braid you can get by as a Carolina rig rod, but if you’re planning to drag a half ounce and a chunk you can do better in the falcon lineup. 

I'm guessing from the pictures and dk mentioning he might want to trade it in, he already has the rod. I just suggested Carolina rig because its called the lizard dragger and it was as far as I know, designed to be a Carolina rig rod. I said it 3 times for comedic effect because dk2429 asked about it eleventeen times. 😂

 

7 hours ago, dk2429 said:

What do y’all like the Lizard Dragger for? 

Oddly enough, apparently not dragging lizards. 😆 

 

You can go back to casts_by_flys first post when he started this thread and start reading from there to get some other ideas of what the rod might be good for. I believe it's been talked about previously.

 

For $50.00 I doubt you'll find a better rod in the Falcon line up for whatever technique. If you can't find a use for it, I'm sure you can sell it and make a few bucks for what you have in it. If you really want to trade it in/up and Falcon won't work with you, you might be able to see if someone would work out a deal on an already broken Falcon rod and some cash or whatever before you break a perfectly good rod to trade in. I had to cut an already broken rod once for warranty and it just felt wrong. I'm not sure I could break a new, unbroken rod and not just because I'm a 98 pound weakling. I'd also feel bad about doing it. 😁. I guess you could always Bill Dance ceiling fan it if you had to.

 

[rangerjockey]

The lizard dragger was designed to be a c-rig rod and I used it for that and 1/2-5/8 oz football jigs for years.

In the summer I used it to drag 'ol monsters. Overall a great rod. I have the Cara T7.

I've been using a Steeze AGS BC2  for awhile and it balances fine but it's really not a fair comparison of course.

 

 

[casts_by_fly]

“Go bigger, go smaller”-  that’s my plans for this year. I started with 6” magdrafts and Ned’s last year after not really fishing either much before. I liked both. The first part of that plan (with respect to falcon) is coming together. I used the 10% off gift card plus 20% off everything sale to get a Cara big bait rod for $180 real dollars. I used the eye crosser and the amistad to throw the magdrafts last year (regular and freestyle with a 3/8 hook). Both worked but you had to work a little harder than you’d think. The big bait is 7’9”, 1-5oz, and full rear grip. Nominally a 7 power and heavy/fast. I’ve only done a little lawn casting with a freestyle, but I am going to like it. Compared to the amistad, I think they’ve added 6” of power to the butt and powered up the bottom half, but then ‘stretched’ the top half by 3”. I bet they have the same tip size and measurements in the top 12” of the rod, but it’s better supported and smoother than the amistad for heavier stuff. Can’t wait to get it on the water.  

[dk2429]

On 2/6/2025 at 11:13 PM, casts_by_fly said:

I think you’ll probably find that the dobyns is a bit heavier overall if you have a scale. They are known to back weight their rods in the butt to minimize swing weight at the expense of total weight. Full grips help that. After you’ve fished it a couple times then let’s talk. It’s a great rod for what you’ve picked it for. 

I was wrong. Got it out on the water today for its first real excursion on Lake Conroe. MAN that thing is sweet. Could feel about anything on the bottom. It was so-so when I tried it out at first at a local pond. Once I got out there to really use it, everything changed. 
 

The Lizard Dragger I got yesterday, not a big fan so far. I’ll see if Falcon will let me trade it toward another rod. If not, probably just sell it. There’s no way that thing is a heavy/fast. Would probably be a good spinnerbait/bladed jig rod, as mentioned above. I can see that! 

[casts_by_fly]

1 hour ago, dk2429 said:

I was wrong. Got it out on the water today for its first real excursion on Lake Conroe. MAN that thing is sweet. Could feel about anything on the bottom. It was so-so when I tried it out at first at a local pond. Once I got out there to really use it, everything changed. 
 

The Lizard Dragger I got yesterday, not a big fan so far. I’ll see if Falcon will let me trade it toward another rod. If not, probably just sell it. There’s no way that thing is a heavy/fast. Would probably be a good spinnerbait/bladed jig rod, as mentioned above. I can see that! 

The HCJ also makes a pretty good rod for slinging 1/2 oz chatterbaits a looong way and covering water. Big flat?  Go for it. 

[dk2429]

I called Falcon and talked to Adrian. He said I could trade in to upgrade. Since the rods are new he can put full retail value of the Lowriders toward the upgrade. (I also picked up a Lowrider Amistad for the same price at a different location on Sunday)

 

I don't know if I should trade them both in for a Cara Amistad or not. Or maybe just trade the Amistad in for an Expert Amistad. I guess it kind of depends, are the Expert/Cara Amistads a significant step up from the Lowrider? Love my Cara HCJ so far. Wouldn't mind trying an Expert. 

 

OR just keep my Lowriders