Falcon EVO -CLEARANCE

[ScorpiFish]

Was at Walmart this morning and noticed that they have Falcon EVO casting rods on clearance for $20!  Thinking about going back and picking up a couple.  Thoughts?

[MyKeyBe]

If you need a couple of rods then yes, that is a fantastic deal. I don't own any evos but I do have an hd and it's a very nice rod for what it is. $20.00 might end up being the best fishing deal of the century.

[casts_by_fly]

This is not surprising.  On the falcon rods thread we were talking about just that- the rationalization between the HD, Evo, and new Atrax.  

 

 

[CDMTJager]

Must be in store only not on their WS

[wvhunt]

It depends upon the store.  Two stores within an hours drive of me have had certain Evo rods for $32 for a few weeks now, but not all models.  My local store still has all of them still at full price.

 

The two stores with the discounted rods also had certain Abu Garcia Vendetta rods marked down to $36, but again not all the models.

[CDMTJager]

Thanks for the info. Ill just have to take a ride to the zoo AKA my local walmart.

[Flyfish-mt]

I picked up a Falcon EVO VFC-4-166 (6'6") Med action for $32 this past weekend at Walmart.  Looks to make a nice popper/jerkbait rod.  I'm still using an old Team Daiwa-S 6'3" for my topwater and this seems to have more of a parabolic flex to it.......

[casts_by_fly]

3 hours ago, Flyfish-mt said:

I picked up a Falcon EVO VFC-4-166 (6'6") Med action for $32 this past weekend at Walmart.  Looks to make a nice popper/jerkbait rod.  I'm still using an old Tema Daiwa-S 6'3" for my topwater and this seems to have more of a parabolic flex to it.......

 

that should be a pretty awesome jerkbait rod.  Also would be a nice small crankbait rod for squarebills and smaller DT4 types.  I have an older st croix with the same spec/flex and its a neat little rod for a couple specific things.  

[zell_pop1]

On 2/10/2025 at 8:18 AM, Flyfish-mt said:

I picked up a Falcon EVO VFC-4-166 (6'6") Med action for $32 this past weekend at Walmart.  Looks to make a nice popper/jerkbait rod.  I'm still using an old Team Daiwa-S 6'3" for my topwater and this seems to have more of a parabolic flex to it.......

Love my TD S 6'3' for topwaters and jerkbaits. 

[Flyfish-mt]

14 hours ago, zell_pop1 said:

Love my TD S 6'3' for topwaters and jerkbaits. 

Agreed, the TD-S 6’3” is a very nice rod with the perfect length handle.  Many top water rods have too long of a handle.  Sounds like you’re a hardcore Pop-R guy with a handle like Zell-Pop1.  Many people here are too young to know who Zell Rowland is…….  The master of the Rebel Pop-R!!

 

Was at my local Wally and picked up a 6’8” Falcon EVO.  It’ll compliment my old Team Daiwa LT 6’6” Wormin’/Jiggin’ rod.

[zell_pop1]

7 hours ago, Flyfish-mt said:

Agreed, the TD-S 6’3” is a very nice rod with the perfect length handle.  Many top water rods have too long of a handle.  Sounds like you’re a hardcore Pop-R guy with a handle like Zell-Pop1.  Many people here are too young to know who Zell Rowland is…….  The master of the Rebel Pop-R!!

 

Was at my local Wally and picked up a 6’8” Falcon EVO.  It’ll compliment my old Team Daiwa LT 6’6” Wormin’/Jiggin’ rod.

Yes the Xcalibur popper Zell designed was my favorite, though now I like the Lucky Craft one better. My best jerkbait is a Lucky Craft as well.

I went to my local wally world today and all the Falcon EVOs on clearance were gone. There are still 2 of each 7' MH casting and 7' M spinning as they are not marked down.

I have a Falcon 6'8" Lowrider i bought 10 years ago, it is a good all purpose rod, you will like yours.

[Eric 26]

I just stopped into my local Walmart and there weren’t any Falcons whatsoever, heck to be perfectly honest there weren’t a whole lot of rods period. But what there was in the fishing rod aisle was a really cool associate who had a whole flatbed cart of rods that he just started unloading and the very first box he unpacked had 2 Lews speed sticks that had Wynn grips in grey with a grey blank that led into a black remainder with bright orange wraps on the guides. I didn’t stick around very long as he told me he placed a handful of fishing gear in the clearance section a short time ago but either it was way earlier or what he placed there was a handful of low end combos with line counter reels that I almost bought one of for what reason I have no idea, 2 lightning shock rods (orange) that have poor reviews and 2 bags of Berkeley gulp and max scent along with some Berkeley gilly soft plastics that were a bit too large for my tastes but I did end up with the aforementioned bags and a reason to go back to my local Walmart. 

[Flyfish-mt]

Would like to find a 7'0" EVO spinning rod but both of my local Walmart stores are out of stock on this model.....

[wvhunt]

I picked up Falcons in 6'6" medium, 7' medium-heavy, and a 7'3" heavy all for $32 a piece.

[MediumMouthBass]

Since these are Walmart rods will the quality be bottom of the barrel like everything else they sell as far as Walmarts buying rules from companies for rods and reels?

(On reddit ive been seeing this alot especially with the $12 Siennas failing many times, along with the clamshell SLX's being cheap feeling)

 

Has anyone used one of these rods and had on the water experience yet?

[casts_by_fly]

The Evo wasn't made just for walmart.  All of the Evo's come from the same line in the same factory.  No walmart specials on them.

[MediumMouthBass]

3 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

The Evo wasn't made just for walmart.  All of the Evo's come from the same line in the same factory.  No walmart specials on them.

Im talking about Walmarts strict ordering rules, they are known for ordering product X from Y company but product X in other sporting goods stores is always better quality when compared side by side. Because they want product X for the lowest price possible and usually something is skimped on at the manufactures quality control team to deliver it at the price they want.

 

From tv's to rods and reels, its not all products but quite a few.

 

I know their clamshell packaged Siennas and SLX's arent up to par with the exact ones that come in a box sold elsewhere even though its the same reel. Wasnt sure if these rods are like that or the opposite. But it sounds like they are good to go, especially for the sale price

[Flyfish-mt]

No on-water experience as of yet but they look to be built very well.  I've been building spinning, casting and fly rods for the past 30 years and the thread work, guide placement/alignment, finish and cork seem to be decent quality w/ some filler.  Also, they use the Fuji #ECSM reel seats (casting) which is a nice, blank exposed reel seat.

[little giant]

I have 2 and have used both. 6'8 MH, 7'3 H. Perfect! Not as sensitive as my lowriders but that was expected. Can't beat that $32 price tag!

[casts_by_fly]

2 hours ago, MediumMouthBass said:

Im talking about Walmarts strict ordering rules, they are known for ordering product X from Y company but product X in other sporting goods stores is always better quality when compared side by side. Because they want product X for the lowest price possible and usually something is skimped on at the manufactures quality control team to deliver it at the price they want.

 

From tv's to rods and reels, its not all products but quite a few.

 

I know their clamshell packaged Siennas and SLX's arent up to par with the exact ones that come in a box sold elsewhere even though its the same reel. Wasnt sure if these rods are like that or the opposite. But it sounds like they are good to go, especially for the sale price

 

As a supplier to walmart, I'm familiar.  And when that happens, the product going to walmart will have a different item/part/SKU number for ordering purposes.  There needs to be enough differentiation usually so that another retailer doesn't have the same product for a better price.  Clamshell packaging vs box with a spare spool for instance.  In this case, Falcon doesn't differentiate.  I also think that's why they have dropped the Evo lineup.  They had the Evo and HD at the same price points for basically the same rods.  And that price point was high for walmart's every day shelf price.  So they have cut the Evo and launched the attrax at $30 cheaper so that they have a budget offering.  

[wvhunt]

2 hours ago, MediumMouthBass said:

Im talking about Walmarts strict ordering rules, they are known for ordering product X from Y company but product X in other sporting goods stores is always better quality when compared side by side. Because they want product X for the lowest price possible and usually something is skimped on at the manufactures quality control team to deliver it at the price they want.

 

From tv's to rods and reels, its not all products but quite a few.

 

I know their clamshell packaged Siennas and SLX's arent up to par with the exact ones that come in a box sold elsewhere even though its the same reel. Wasnt sure if these rods are like that or the opposite. But it sounds like they are good to go, especially for the sale price

I can't say on some products, but I do know there's some misinformation floating around about some products Walmart sales.  I've heard a number of small time gunshop owners and internet folks saying that the firearms that Walmart sells are seconds or inferior in some way.  That's a 100% load of crap.  Walmart has in the past had some special models made for them, but the standard Henry, Mossberg, Remington, etc. that Walmart sells is the same exact model being sold in gunshops for higher prices.

[Flyfish-mt]

I believe that incorrect information is often spread to steer potential buyers away from large chain stores such as Walmart because the smaller retailers just can't compete w/ pricing.  That being said, I would rather give my business and pay a slight premium to a mom/pop shop as long as I am getting the service.