casts_by_fly

As a fishman and also supply chain professional and engineer by training, that's awesome to see. I've been in quite a few factories around the world from full manual setups to fully automated setups. I would never have guessed how manual it was for crankbaits (and presumably many of their other lures). The stencils make so much sense and I never would have considered it.

Did you get to try his rods at all? I considered the lighter one for a walking bait rod for largemouth/smallmouth but wasn't sure if they were going to be too much rod. the other rod in the lineup that intrigues me is the 5' bucoo casting rod. Its a 1-power ultralight/light that screams stream trout with a baitcaster, but I'm not sure.

Tip tops are sized by the ceramic ring and the ID of the tube. The ceramic ring you probably want a #5 unless you're running bigger leader knots. The ID of the tube is probably a 5 or 6 (that's in 64ths) but the best bet is to order a couple different sizes and see. If you have a caliper or micrometer you could measure just behind it to get close. I doubt Cabelas will be able to tell you what it is. I assume you're not putting titanuium replacements on, so just order a set from 4.5 to 6.5 (0.5 increments) for $2.5 each or so and be done with it. Mudhole is a good choice for a retailer. I'd just get some Fuji all purpose. https://mudhole.com/collections/tip-top-guides/products/fuji-all-purpose-spin-cast-top-f?_pos=2&_fid=632c48569&_ss=c

If you get some of the ones I linked (which might be the same as you brought back), I've now managed to change the hooks out. In hindsight, I'd probably do it differently. The hooks that come on it are saltwater trebles. So are the split rings. The rings are a real bear to split and get the hooks off, especially the heavier wire saltwater ones. I'd suggest just cutting the split rings and putting new on. I went with a #2 hook that is either a Berkley fusion hook (that's the package they were in downstairs) or were a takeoff from Rapala OG6's which come with a much heavier hook than I like. I know I've changed out the OGs, not sure if these are those hooks. Either way, Its a dead match for size and a much thinner wire and sharper hook than the saltwater ones. I might get to fish it wednesday and will report back.

Hi all, I am contemplating building a create your own spinnerbait box. Normally I’m only fishing 3/8 and 1/2 with the occasional foray heavier. My current box is a 3700 spinnerbait box that is full and then some (which includes 6 buzzbaits also). And still, there are times when I want something different to what I have in the box whether it’s a different skirt, blade combo, etc. I know I could maybe swap things around with what I have, but not always. I’ve seen JWheeler do it in some of his videos and I have some ideas. Anyone else done it and can offer your own insights? Based on how much space I’m using in the current box, I think I could either save space or have more tackle/variety in the same space (likely choice). I’m sticking to 3700 sized boxes, but could go with a double deep if needed. I’m thinking I keep a mix of 3/8 and 1/2 ‘bodies’ with a mix of willow and Colorado blades, probably one each of empty bodies for single Colorado use (I don’t throw them much). I’d keep colors simple and put silver front blades on. Water is clear here so I rarely use double gold or copper. Then I just need a handful of willow, Colorado, and Indiana blades to over my bases, all prerigged on swivels. Then a handful of skirts of my usual colors and some others. anyone else work this way? Pros/cons? thanks rick

Wow. That’s going to be a thumper down deep. That’s something they are throwing for 40# stripers in the Atlantic here right now.

Lipless can be fished in 1’ or 10’ of water so are quite versatile. Great to have on hand all the time. Fishing from the bank, I’m going to assume some shallower water and I’ll agree with a squarebill also. Great around cover. Something that will fish down to 3-4’. Those two will do well for you from the bank. color depends on your water conditions. Something natural shad type for one. A chartreuse black back if you get dirty water. If your water is clear all the time then a natural bluegill type pattern.

If it’s just saltwater then there might be hope. I’m not sure if that reel has magnesium parts but if not it might be cleanable. Sand in the gears and parts makes it tough. Worst case, shoot DVT a PM here and see what he says.

The dogs did a number on a couple spots with traffic and digging, but on the whole it’s come along pretty well. A little overseed and patching in the spring and it should thicken right up. It’s all rye so it grows quickly. If I’d known it was going to stay this warm for the next week I would have put down more seed two weeks ago. It’s already so much better than it was I’m really happy. A little more leveling in the spring for the uneven settling and it will be awesome. I’m already cutting it at 1” and with a couple spots leveled I can go to 3/4” easily.

If you haven’t already, grab a pack of switch blades and add your favorite vertical eye swim jig. It helps with the grass and the swim jig pointy head comes through grass pretty well. You still get the thump with them but it’s a little less click on the head. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Queen_Tackle_Switch_Blades_3pk/descpage-QSB.html

The hobie pro angler has a built in hatch just as you’re describing. It holds two medium boxes which I think are 3600 size. I think the new titan angler does also.

thanks. The head turner in the expert line is borderline extra fast to me. I haven’t measured it but I bet it’s close. The swim jig rod is also going to be pretty close. Those two will be the fastest action is in the lineup I think.

thanks to this thread I found a bantam at Digitaka prices (they have been sold out of them) and will have it tomorrow. Thanks monkeys.

Not sure which bit of NJ you're in, I'm between I78 and I80. water temps are right about 56-58 depending on the lake. Grass is dying like you said. Even still, all of the bass I found Tuesday were in what was still left of the grass and pads.

Wood, wind, and this time of year all imply spinnerbait as a starting point. Ultra clear water would put me with small willows and moving it pretty quick. If no love there, then I'm bouncing a jig and a texas rig down through it until the fish tell me what they want. I'm sure someone will say a wacky rigged senko and they are probably right. Just not my cup of tea.

you're not reeling in the cover.

Yes, that's understandable. Its a shame they had to move, but the alternative is paying $100 more for the same rod. If you want to support the guys in Arkansas who used to make the Falcons, then Virtus are there and on the face of it largely based on the falcon rods. Separately, the Mojo line from St Croix isn't USA made either so just be aware. Also- just get a head turner. I've only broken one bass rod in 30+ years of fishing for them. I'm not sure if I'm hard on rods or baby them anymore. I have no problems boat flipping fish but I don't high stick them. I've hookset into plenty of stumps and my rods hang over the edge of the kayak so get soaked most every time they are used. I don't step on them though and they don't bounce around in the bed of the truck (or a boat rod locker). That said, the only rod I've broken is the Amistad I just broke. I've been fishing it for 2 seasons so I'm sure it wasn't a manufacturing defect, but I have no idea how it broke on a pound and a half bass on the hookset. No way to say if your Bucoo was a blem or not. Maybe it was a return and someone stepped on it? Maybe it got a car door shut on it. There are one or two guys who troll the falcon facebook group and when someone asks "which rod for x", they reply "not a falcon! I've broken 5 of them" or something stupid like that. I have no idea if they break more or less frequently than other rods. I've not had a problem though aside the amistad and they replace it for me no questions asked.

spinnerbaits and buzzbaits get a split tail for me. I have a few spinnerbaits with a keitech on them but its not necessary. I often run a spinnerbait without a trailer even. Chatterbaits- I've run so many different trailers on them the past couple years and there isn't a wrong answer. Across the various sizes and uses of chatterbaits my list includes: rage menace (3 sizes), zakos, lake fork shad, spunk shad, mini flukes, paddle tails, zoom swimmin chunks, rage bugs and other beavers, split tails, and probably a couple I'm forgetting now. They all have their place depending what you're doing and the profile you want. If you want a big profile and for the trailer to just get out of the way then the zako/LFS does that. A 1/2 oz chatterbait with a zako is a big and heavy bait with a full profile. It comes in around 7/8 oz total bait weight for the Zako. If you want a thinner profile but also for the trailer to get out of the way then a split tail or a spunk shad is a great choice. For ripping off the bottom that's where I'd go. If you're looking for a more bluegill shape and more trailer action then the rage menace or rage bug rigged, both rigged vertical, give a very different profile. A menace mini on a 3/8 CB with a trimmed skirt makes for a great young of the year bluegill size/shape that you can work slow through shallow grass. I think a paddle tail is my least favorite of them all. It works, but the paddle seems to act like a parachute and just kinda dulls the action a bit. If you have a bunch laying around spare then use them just fine (or clip the paddle off and you have a spunk shad!). I wouldn't buy them specifically for CB trailers.

Thanks! The EVO series is new this year I think. Based on the rods/models and the price point, I think they launched them to have a more entry price point for big box stores without competing with the rest of the lineup. Looking at the offerings, they are clearly based on the same models they have in the other lines (looks like Bucoo SR model versions). I wouldn't be surprised if its the same people rolling the blanks and the same mandrels just with different graphite/scrim/process. The 7'3" Evo Is more or less an Amistad so I'm not surprised that you like it. I've not held the Evo version but I did hold the Bucoo at an Academy. Its a little heavier than the Expert/Cara versions but not as much as you'd expect. For what you're doing with it its a great setup. I'm curious about the EVO vs Bucoo SR feel differences. For $20 cheaper you get cork with the Evo which I prefer.

I like this thought. On a 12” solix it would be like an iPad game of whackamole.

If you’re talking about a crate you could just strap it with two cam straps all the way around the boat. Then no drilling or gluing required.

Hi All, I've been meaning to write this thread for a while and with the season basically done here and me pulling all my rods into one place for the winter I finally pulled my finger out to take a picture and write this all down. The purpose of the thread is to have a respository of info about current Falcon rods. I'm a big Falcon fan and love to help with questions on them in other threads, so my hope is to put everything in one place for easy reference to others. I'm not affiliated, sponsored, or otherwise linked to Falcon rods. Every rod in the picture was bought with my own hard earned. As a primer, Falcon have 4 basic series of rods in their current lineup from least expensive to most- Bucoo SR, Lowrider, Expert, and Cara. They have two newer series in the HD and Evo, but I'm not touching on those here nor am I going backwards in time to the variations of these. Same with the specialist rods. Also, since I only have casting rods I can't comment on the spinning rods (yet!). If others want to comment on all of them- the more the merrier! I know there are quite a few Falcons floating around this board and people who have had them longer than me. Within the 4 lineups, Falcon mostly has the same models across each series. They are all colloquially named- some for what they were designed for, some for who designed them, some for a place that was the inspiration for the rod. Across each series a given rod will have the same or very similar specs. The main differences between the different series will be the graphite/blank and components used. The more expensive rods will have higher modulus graphite, better response rates and sensitivity, and nicer components. There are a couple models only offered in specific lineups but more on that when I get into them. Also, Falcon rods are 'known' for being lighter, softer, slower, or some other adjective that is comparing their rating with their actual power/action. Maybe that's true, but I think there is something else at play. Falcon numerically rate the power on a 1-8 scale. A 4-power is a medium, an 8 is a XH. Within that range, 5- is MH but both 6- and 7- are considered Heavy. There is a big difference between the two. A 6-power is probably the same power as some MH from other makers who are known to have heavier than the rest ratings. A 7-power is definitely a H no matter who you are. Using the lure and line ratings is a decent indicator here, but also using the power scale helps too. First hand experience with the rods and details (my intention here) also help. I have most of the 5/6/7 power models in one form or another. I have toyed with a 4-power but not pulled the trigger. Without further ado, the lineup (at least the ones I own): Across these 12 rods there are 11 models. I'll also talk to a 13th rod that isn't pictured (because it was broken and replaced by the same model in a different lineup). The models grouped by power level (5/6/7 by color): Finesse jig/Topwater (6'10" MH/MF)- As the name implies, this rod was designed for light finesse jigs in clear Ozark lakes. The first thing about this rod- its light weight. In expert form it comes in at 3.8 oz but feels even lighter. The top of the rod is really light so it feels like you're holding nothing at all. It's rated 3/16-5/8 except in the Expert (which I have) which is rated 1/4-3/4. I think on the Expert model that 3/16-5/8 is probably right. I've fished this rod with as much as 7/8 oz (1/2 oz chatterbait and big trailer) but in hindsight that's too much for it. This is a quite versatile rod to me and a great walking around rod for ponds before the grass comes up. The action of my expert is closer to a F than a MF, but the lighter power means that you get into the middle of the rod quickly when casting anything over 3/8 or so. This is a great treble hook topwater rod- walking baits, poppers, small ploppers. That was what I bought it for originally and it was a great choice. It throws lighter single hook moving baits like 3/8 and smaller chatterbaits, spinnerbaits and swim jigs really well. Obviously it does finesse jigs well and similarly it is fine with light wire bottom baits like a light texas rig or wacky rig. Its also a pretty good jerkbait rod. I don't prefer it for standard wire single hooks, especially with a full brush guard or a thick plastic texposed. I fish mine with thin 14 lb mono so maybe braid would be different. I'll never find out. Swim Jig (7'2" MH/F)- This is another rod named for what it was designed for. Most will see the lure range though (1/8-3/8oz) and be confused- that seems really light for a MH. Actually, this rod was designed to throw 1/8-3/8 swim jigs with trailers. If this rod were rated normally, it would be a 1/4-3/4 and I'd go with that rating. This is another rod that you're amazed how light the top of the rod is, especially for as long as it is. I have the Cara and this is one rod not offered in all lines. The Lowrider and Bucoo versions are fairly new and the Expert doesn't exist. This rod was the one that put me onto the Cara track since that's all I could get it in. It's truly a fast action in the Cara but with the light power it doesn't feel stiff in any way. Its great for what it was designed for- lighter swim jigs around light to moderate cover. It also makes a fantastic light texas rig rod. I have mine lined with 30 lb 832 braid for swim jigs and with a 1/16-1/8 tungsten and small plastic you can really finesse a texas rig. Another great use is as a medium buzzbait rod. A 1/4-3/8 buzzbait is just perfect on this rod. I've heard its the best lipless crankbait rod in the Falcon lineup so we'll see about the in the spring. All-round/Trapcaster (7' MH/MF)- The Bucoo SR version was my first Falcon and what started this journey. I wanted an all purpose rod that I didn't have covered in the setups I had and this seemed the ticket from my reading. That first year I fished this rod with everything from 10 lb fluoro to 17 fluoro and all of the mono sizes in between. I threw moving bladed baits, tokyo rigs, jigs, crankbaits, and just about everything else on it. I landed an 8 lb hybrid on a 1/2 oz spinnerbait with it. Despite all of that, I never truly loved the rod. I've described the mid section as 'mushy' before here on BR. Its like the tip/mid/butt aren't balanced and hard to describe. I think that description may be a little harsh now in hindsight, but having fished it for 3 years in a variety of applications, I think I've figured it out. Its a 1/4-3/4 lure rating and it really needs 5/16-3/8 minimum to load up the tip but it has the mid section action to bend on smaller fish. Then it has enough butt to really put the screws to a bigger fish. Its an odd combo but where I've found its niche is medium crankbaits and lipless. With 30 lb 832 its great for a lipless- you feel every nip and dip- and the softer mid section is enough cushion. It also casts them a mile to cover water. When I move away from lipless in the spring I swap to thin 12 lb mono for crankbaits up to a DT10 size and that's a great spring combo. Alas, that's about the end of that rod for me for the year because we have too much grass from then on to fish crankbaits. Medium Heavy, aka spinnerbait/jerkbait (6'8" MH/MF)- This blank is a carryover from an older time in the Falcon lineup. Short rods like this have fallen out of favor but they kept this one around, and in the Cara lineup none the less (and others). I grabbed this on a whim for fishing walking baits almost exclusively. I work them tip down and taking a couple inches off the rod makes a difference. So does the shorter rear grip. I'm not sad to have this rod for walking baits. Its also a pretty decent short range target casting spinnerbait rod for up to a 3/8 or so. I'm talking about going down the bank and hitting every little cut from 10-20 yards away roll casting. In that way its a little like a short head turner. It has the same lure rating as the head turner and finesse jig (1/4-3/4), about the same power in the butt as the HT, and maybe a bit lighter middle and tip. Definitely more powerful than the finesse jig though. I'm sure its just fine for other things, but I just haven't gotten there yet. It will be my primary jerkbait rod in the spring as a starting point. Deep Runner/Hudson special (7'3" MH/M, MH/MF)- I bought this on a whim from ALF in a used sale with the Buzzbait model below. At the time, I wanted an improved Trapcaster- a utility rod in the MH arena to cover a lot of things. First impressions were exactly that. Compared to the trapcaster, this is a much 'more' rod. It's rated 3/8-3/4 as a start. It's thicker across the board at all points of comparison. Its a good bit heavier. It has a full rear grip lending more oomph to the rod as a whole. It has a lot more power down in the rod than the trapcaster. And despite it being everything I was looking for on paper it was a miss for me. I've tried it with mono, fluoro, and braid of various sizes. I've thrown all sorts of moving baits with it including topwaters, bladed baits, crankbaits, single and treble hooks, etc. I guess reading the description from Falcon should have given me the first clue. I have the expert version but the Cara description is apt- "best for deep running crankbaits like...". This is a great crankbait rod for DT6-DT20s- I just dont fish them enough to justify it. The other use that I found was chatterbaits. If you like a more moderate chatterbait action (I don't) then this is a great rod for you. Lots of power down low and the rod stays pre-loaded during the retrieve. That's just not my style for chatterbaits. Its not a bad plopper rod, but if I'm fishing a plopper its probably the 110 size and there is a chance of my getting into toothy critters where I want more rod. I found it a decent buzzbait rod if I was fishing braid so maybe that's the solution for me to like it more, alas, I've listed this one for sale here. Head Turner/Pitching stick (6'10", H/F)- If there was a quintessential falcon rod that more people than most have tried and love, this is probably it. Originally designed as a light pitching stick for close quarters there is so much that this rod does well that you could outfit a tournament boat with this rod and one other in the falcon lineup and just change line for different things. This is a 6-power heavy so on the lighter side of heavy with a 1/4-3/4 lure rating. It's truly a fast action with a light tip that transitions into a powerful mid and butt section quickly. There isn't much this rod can't do. I have both the expert and bucoo versions. I might get a Cara version as well (nearly did until someone bought a used copy from TW before I got there). My primary use is single hook moving baits- spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, buzzbaits, etc. I fish 16 lb thin mono on it (supernatural) and I think I've found the perfect balance of strength and finesse with that combo. Surprisingly, this is becoming my favorite walking bait rod for 1/2 oz sexy dawgs. It has a light enough tip for super accurate short casts, but it will bang out a 40 yard cast and still have enough power for a hookset on mono. Its a great swim jig rod for 3/8-1/2 oz jigs and I'll pitch to cover and docks with it if that's the rod I have. It makes for a nice texas rig rod if you like a shorter rod. Also a pretty good jerkbait rod for the bigger ones. I have the bucoo version set up with 50 lb braid right now as a lighter frog rod even. So much this rod can do that if you're thinking about it then just do it. Dragger 1/Lizard dragger (7' H/F)- THIS was the rod I had in mind when I wanted to upgrade the trapcaster. Its a 3/8-1 oz rated and has the power to back that up. Despite that, my Bucoo SR version has a light enough tip to throw things at the low end of the weight range while still banging out the bigger stuff. Its a great rod for 110 ploppers and will set the hook at the distance you can throw it (a long way). The same goes for bigger bladed baits and that was my primary use for this rod from the day I got it until I swapped to the head turner for the same stuff. If I didn't have the HCJ I would probably get the Cara version of this rod as it does so much well that's right in my wheelhouse. The bucoo is a good texas rig rod, but the cara would be great for that. Same for pitching a jig to cover. I've even thrown big DT14-20 crankbaits on it. It was designed as a carolina rig rod and I could see that if I threw them more. Alas, the HCJ and head turner have filled this niche for me and while I'd love to have the Cara version (NOT the expert version, see below) its simply a need I don't need to fill. Buzzbait (7' H/M)- I loved the dragger 1 above so much that I thought an expert version was a no brainer. It should have been. However, this was the rod that I had such high hopes for that disappointed me- largely for not doing better research on what I was getting. The current Expert 6-17 is called the Table Rock and lists a moderate action and I would say that is accurate for this rod. However, this rod is called the 'buzzbait'. I suspect it is the same blank under a different name as its the newer Expert branding and details. I recall seeing a catalog listing for it on the web that said it was a H/F which this isn't. All are rated 3/8-1 and heavy power. In short, this is the next heavier equivalent of the Hudson special for me that I detailed above. Its a pretty heavy butt power on a much more moderate action than I throw. Its a great for big crankbaits or for those that are considering a fiberglass chatterbait rod (it's similar in power and action but way lighter and more crisp). Those just aren't things I do that much of. I like my buzzbait rods faster than this. It's a great rod, just not for me. Heavy Cover Jig (7'4" H/F)- The biggest in the 6-power lineup, I didn't think I needed this rod. Its designed for fishing jigs in deep brush piles. I don't do that so why do I need this rod. Chatting in the Falcon facebook group it turns out this is a very well liked rod for other things. I agree. If the 'Buzzbait' was disappointing for not knowing what I was getting, the HCJ was been the opposite kind of surprise. Its a big rod with lots of power through the middle and butt, but you never feel like its overwhelming. Then you try to cast something and all of the line is gone from your reel. Seriously. I have a new Zillion on it with 17lb Suffix Elite mono. The reel only holds about 60 yards of that line and more than a few times I've cast a 1/2 oz chatterbait or a plopper so far that I can read the print on the spool arbor through the little line left on the reel. Its surprising if you're not ready for it. The rod is rated 1/2-1 oz which seems a narrow range, but I think that's the perfect description for it. You can throw lighter with it, but that's not what its made for. For me, this is a 1/2-3/4 oz bottom jig rod, a big swim jig rod, big chatterbaits covering water/flats, and a 110/130 plopper rod. This rod is made for covering water. That said, I most often have it rigged with a 3/8-1/2 oz jig or texas rig. Its awesome at pitching the mid range of weights to moderate cover. Its my primary jig rod for most jigs that I fish. As much as its really good at lots of things, its so good for a jig that I rarely take one off of it. I think with 30 lb braid it might be an amazing carolina rig rod, though I don't fish them so can't say for sure. Eye crosser/bayou (6'11" H/F)- We're getting into the 7-power rods here and when you pick one up next to a 6-power, its immediately apparant that both are labeled H but we know who the boss is. My Cara eye crosser is rated 1/2-1 1/2 and it feels it. When you say 'heavy' this is the level of power you're thinking of in a bass rod. This rod was designed for frogs that I won't dispute that. Older catalogs say Jason Christie asked for a shorter Amistad to fish frogs with. I'm not going to dispute that either. You can think of it as a shorter Amistad or a heavier Head turner. Either way, if sub 7-foot rods are your thing, then this is the heavy for your collection. I run 50 lb braid on mine and almost exclusively use it for frogs and toads from June to september. If I had the heavier cover for it this would be a great pitching rod for thick stuff. I'll talk about the Amistad below but this rod can do a lot of the things the Amistad can, just in a shorter package. It also makes for a really good 'big' spinnerbait and chatterbait rod. I'm talking 3/4-1 1/4 weights. If I want to slow roll a heavy chatterbait deep, this is the rod for it. Mostly though, this is my frog rod. I have no qualms about heaving a frog a really long way and still having enough power to set the hook. Amistad (7'3" H/F)- If the head turner is the quintessential rod that most have tried and loved to get them into Falcon rods, this is the next one on the list. All of Falcon's descriptions of this rod use 'power' and that's for certain true. The lure weight ranges vary depending on the series, but they are all in the 3/8-2 oz range in some manner. I used to have the Expert version (3/8-2) until I broke it a couple weeks ago. This has been my 'big' rod for the past couple years. I loaded it up with 50 lb 832 braid on day one and never changed it except for the trip where it broke (with 17 lb mono). I first picked it up as a heavy pitching and light punching rod. We have a bunch of grass and pads here that I wanted to be able to fish right down in them. This was exactly the rod for that. Load up a 1/2-3/4 oz tungsten with a chunk of plastic behind it and go to town. I could go as light as a 3/8 plus a small beaver or up to an ounce and a space monkey. If I wanted to throw BIG keitechs like the 7" ones with 3/8 leaded hooks this was the rod. Alabama rig? No problem. It did all of these things well. However I always felt I was missing something on this rod. Everyone said how versatile it was but I wasn't seeing it, hence the experiment to 17 mono and my other thread here about heavy pitching mono. The rod was a whole new rod with moderate mono and I started to see it. Alas, that lasted one trip before I broke it. Falcon was great and had a replacement upgrade (I paid the difference) to a Cara Amistad in my hands in about a week and a half. The cara is rated 1/2-1 1/2 and I will say that it seems just a touch softer than the expert. About the same total weight and butt power, but the expert had a little more stiffness higher in the rod whereas the Cara flexes just a touch more in the top third. I might even say it has a little more 'feel'. Tough to say its definitively better after just one trip, but I can see that being true. It was great as a pitching rod, but I also threw a big buzzbait on it and I can see doing that again for sure. I'll be exploring more things for this rod in the near future. That's my list of Falcons. I've considered adding in the jerkbait rod- let's see how much I get to fishing them in the spring. This spring was a taster for jerkbaits for me. I am also considering adding a spinning rod to the mix to encourage me to throw one more. I'm not sure I will but let's see. Please add your own feedback on the rods above. I know of quite a few head turners on this board, but also a few all-rounds, an all-round fast, some finesse jigs, and maybe a few others. And as always, I love to answer questions about them. Thanks, Rick

The scorpion MGL comes in 6.2:1. Digitaka is out of the right hand model (but has the left if you're lefty). I haven't checked other outlets. I think the scorpion is equivalent to the curado.

This is where I think I'm at as well. With the new to me Cara Amistad looking like its going to get into the rotation more, I'm going to put a better reel on it than the Revo SX I've been using (which is a fine reel in its own right). I put my Chronarch on it for Tuesday and it felt great. Its a 6+ ounce reel with aluminum gears and an aluminum/graphite frame. I might go with a Bantam for the full aluminum frame, but I don't see a need for an HD for this.

What he said.