Falcon Clark Wendlandt Caras

[basscrusher]

since I sold a bunch of old gear, and because they were on sale for $99 at Tackle Warehouse, I splurged and got 2 of the Clark Wendlandt series falcon baitcast rods. They have the same blank (FX120) as Cara T7s, but with EVA split grips like the Bucoo series. I purchased the 6'10" MH Finesse jig stick as well as the 6'7" MH Extra Fast Weighless worm model. Since I remembered several members pondering these rods recently, thought I'd give my initial impressions after using them today.

To begin with, please allow me to run down my current arsenal of baitcasters (at least the ones in heavy rotation):

shimano Cumara 6'8" MH XF

Shimano Cumara 6'8" M Fast

Loomis IMX 783 (6'6" MH)

Loomis Spinnerbait rod (6'3" Medium XF)

St Croix Avid Cranking rods (6'6" M and MH)

St Croix LTB Jig and Worm (6'6" MH)

St Croix Premier 7' Heavy

Mitchell Fulcrum 6' MH (stop laughing...makes a great topwater rod)

This is just so everyone knows what class of rods I am comparing against. On to the review. When I got the rods I looked them over and found everything satisfactory -- guides looked good, no real winding or cork to check aesthetically. I used the rods today and yesterday and found them to be very nice indeed. The Weightless Worm model is very light...if it had the same skeleton reel seat as a Cumara, I'd be hard-pressed to distinguish it from my Medium Cumara if blindfolded. Because of the light tip, I don't know if I'd classify this rod as a traditional MH, but it has backbone for sure. The finesse jig model is also very light...almost as light as my MH Cumara. And this rod is a real MH...very stiff (but crisp) with LOTS of backbone. I don't know how "finesse" this rod really is. But I like it. In fact, I feel this rod could easily handle lures bigger than the 5/8 recommended. With the weightless worm rod I threw no weightless worms (wrong time of year) but threw a 1/4 oz chatterbait, 3/8 oz jerkbait, and 1/4 oz rattletrap. Handled all perfectly. Hooked a 2 pounder on the rattletrap and the rod performed just fine. As I said, I expected a more powerful MH but the rod got into its taper just as it should. I think this rod will get alot of use as an all-purpose rod for me (except around Potomac river hydrilla, maybe). As for the finesse jig rod...I did not catch any fish yet on this stick, but I do have some impressions. For one, despite my observation that this was not much of a finesse rod (in my eyes) it pitches a 3/16 oz jig with ease. I also threw a texas rigged craw on 1/8 oz and a Texas rigged 7" worm on 3/8 oz. This rod handled that range of weights just fine, and I think I will throw alot of 1/2 oz Carolina rigs with it next summer. The bottom-feeling sensitivity of this rod was clearly in the same vicinity as my Croixs and Cumaras, but more use will give me a better determination of where to rank it.

Overall, my impression of these rods is VERY positive. I feel the rod ratings are a bit misleading, but these are great rods (so far, at least). The original price of these rods is somewhere in the $220 range (US made) which puts it a bit above an Avid but below an IMX. In that sense, it may be priced right, as it feels lighter (and its balanced) than my friend's Avids. For the sale price of $99 at TW...I'm still in awethat I got these 2 rods for right at $200 total. If i sell more old gear, I may have to go back and get a Crankbait rod. My tournament partner is in the market for a spinning rod and I may be steering him in this direction. I know I have ALOT of fishing to do before the final verdict on these rods is in, so take this review for what it is...an initial impression. However, if I were in the market for one of those $100 dollar rods everyone is pushing now (Mojo, Veritas, Bucoo, Compre, Bass Pro, etc) I'd give these rods a long look while they are on sale.

[38 Super Fan]

Nice write up. I recently bought a 6'6 All Purpose, and 7" Med Crank model, and I may pick up one of the two you've reviewed, I really like these rods.

[Midnight Splash2]

The Cara weightless worm model paired with a 50E can cast a senko a exceptional distance. It also handles flukes & sammies very well too. I defiantly agree that this rod is over rated at MH. The only other Falcon rod that I own is a 6' 6" Falcon Original MH and that one felt over rated to me as well, but not near as much as the weightless worm model.

[Bassohol]

I just got the deep cranking model the other day. Used it for the first time this weekend. Really nice rod. That price is simply unreal! I'm thinking about picking up another one while they're still there.

[new2BC4bass]

Nice write up. I'm hoping there will still be a few of the 6'6", 6'7" & 6'10" models left when I get a check from my 2nd job. I currently have 3 more casting reels than rods & a new-2-me spinning reel with no rod. These rods look like a GREAT deal to me!

[ChiCityBasser]

Great write up and review of the rods and thanks for sharing