casts_by_fly

In that case, the trapcaster is a good choice for what you describe. For that matter, I'd step up to the expert lineup and get the equivalent rod in the 7' all-round. Same base design, lighter and more responsive blank. If you want it for more than just squarebills, the Hudson special is a half step up in power from the allround (both are rated a 5-power by falcon). Its 7'4" and has the same 3/8-3/4 rating as the all-round. Its physically a much larger rod- the diameter at the grips is almost twice the trapcaster- but its still very light in physical weight and has a good treble hook bend. Good rod for KVD squarebills and what you describe, but will also throw a DT10/14 well. I use it as my big topwater rod right now (90/110 ploppers, 1/2 oz buzzbaits). I found its limits in that it doesn't get a good hook set on toads (nor would the trapcaster or any other rods you're looking at). The finesse jig/topwater would also be a good rod for you. The base action is MF/F and I'd agree with that, but as a Falcon 5-power it gets past the casting action quickly on a fish. I fish it with walking baits and poppers (among other things) and haven't lost a fish on a treble on it yet. Its also really light in weight.

Are you set on 7’ and moderate action? Also, which size square bills? I love my falcon expert for most squarebills but it’s 6’10” and listed fast action. I fish my 7’ bucoo trapcaster with most crankbaits (squarebills included) and is probably what you’re looking for. Also listed as mf though on the slower end of it. If you’re talking about light ones like little bombers then the falcon Mansfield is a nice rod, though light.

Nice. I have only fished Swartswood once, and it was an afternoon/evening session about a month ago during the post spawn. It was more of a looksee trip than anything. Cool lake, a bit different to a lot of the lakes around here.

i went a little further than that. I have storage and I don’t have to lift much of anything. It’s truck bed height so it just slides on the carpet.

If you're only looking to get it in and out of the garage, would a wooden cart in the garage be better (or maybe a ceiling pulley) assuming you can back into the garage? I truck bed my autopilot, so I build a wooden cart on casters that sits in my garage. I back the truck bed into the garage and wheel the cart to the bed. Slide the boat in and tie it up. Reverse for unloading. If you are car topping on a jeep you might need to do a ceiling hoist but you could put it in the bed of a gladiator with a similar cart. Your lakes sound like mine where you are driving roughly to the launch and just pushing it in. In that case I never use a cart at all. rick

Thanks. I'll keep them in mind. The expert finesse jig is a favorite of mine and one of the rods that I'd probably have two of if I ever doubled up on specific rods. I've mostly exhausted the Falcon lineup for things I fish (the only two still to try for things I fish are the Bayou/Eye crosser and the heavy cover jig). So if Virtus comes out with something different in length/weight but similar style I'll have to consider it. thanks rick

First time with fluoro? I’d say get some red label or even basix to try it and get used to it. For $12 or so you get the initial learnings of fluoro out of the way and see if it’s what you want. rick

this. I have to slow down a 90 a lot compared to a 110. Any little piece of grass kills a 90 prop it seems. rick

rangerjockey, im pretty well aligned to everything you’re saying on falcon rods. I’m a big falcon user and fan. I have quite a few now and most trips I just have a set of experts with me (various rods). I can see why some would thing the finesse jig too light- if you’re used to 3/8 jigs and heavy wire then that’s not really the rod for it. You need a true lighter wire small jig on that rod. The head turner is called the pitchin stick in some of the models and that’s the right use for it for me. I’ve looked at the virtus rods a few times. Their website is a bit lacking but looking at the models and descriptions it looks like an almost complete copy of the cara lineup. The only one I can’t place is the 7’10” xfh. I’m thinking it is a Rayburn with 2” taken off the butt. Have you used any of the virtus rods yourself to compare them? rick

Gotcha. Similar to me then. I have an autopilot which is about 160 with battery and motor but not gear. I don’t use a cart much since I mostly use lakes with a ramp or a place I can pull down to. So I didnt want a $250+ cart for a couple times per year. I got the traverse for Christmas and it runs half that price. I’ve used it a few times and it’s a good cart. https://www.amazon.com/Malone-Traverse-Kayak-Canoe-Cart/dp/B095BLPTGD

8 hours is about half of a 240 acre lake. Ask me how I know and why I have a zero lines card now. add the zero lines card and start charting. I don’t use the pc software since I don’t have a pc. I chart on the unit and view on the unit.

Which kayak and how heavy is it? That makes a difference in the style of cart.

Bottom changes. If you can look ahead of time on navionics you can find points or breaks. If it’s a place you fish often and know the weeds will be there yearly, go in early spring and graph the area. the other thing to figure out is if they are up high, mid column, or down low in the weeds. Not much sense dragging a Texas rig across the points if the fish are shallow and looking up.

I fish 30 and 50 lb 832 now on baitcasters and yo zuri on my spinning reels. I have fished powerpro and some others in the past. I’ve never had an improved clinch that wouldn’t slip. I normally tie a 6-7 turn knot the same as my mono as I’ve tied them for 30+ years. I don’t know what I’m doing differently but I know that I just don’t bother with a clinch and braid. If I’m throwing braid it’s usually on something like a jig, frog or plastic where a palomar is quicker to tie anyway. rick

An improved clinch with braid will slip easily. Stick to a Palomar or uni. Dig happens when you a reeling against a lot of force (pulling against a snag, a big fish, etc) with looser line underneath. You can eliminate it by ensuring that you watch out for it and when you’re using a slack line presentation to every now and then strip down all of the loose line and reel it all back on under tension so you have a firm base of braid.

What lure knot are you tying? are you getting the braid dug into the spool such that when you cast the dog in is stopping the spool while the lure keeps going?

falcon rods are on the light half of their power rating usually. Consider the finesse jig and head turner. Both 6’10” and both 1/4-3/4. One is MH and one is H. The finesse jig is a light mh and the head turner is a lighter heavy. Both are great rods. I have the pitching stick in the bucoo sr and it’s basically the same as the head turner (touch heavier physically, touch less crisp- both being comparisons to the expert blank). I like the head turner with 1/2 weight baits. A 3/8 spinnerbait is a touch lighter than my preference for casting. For pitching, a 1/4 weight plus a beaver or 3/8 with any plastic is about right. A 3/8 jig is good.

Falcon low rider finesse jig. My favorite blank profile in the falcon lineup. Great for 3/8 bladed baits. Perfect for what you’re asking. The all round would be okay, but I don’t like the mid rod flex profile for bladed baits.

facebook group. Old town autopilot owners. There is also old town sportsman owners group.

Blanks, guides, and to a lesser extent seats/grips determine price. And marketing/warranty. The blank is the backbone of a rod build and where you should really pay for quality. It’s hard to read through marketing bs at times, but you have to put the picture together between the manufacturers claims, other peoples reviews, etc. Always start from the best blank you can. guides can range in price, but you’re mostly paying for lighter weight. A basic ceramic guide and a silicon carbide guide will both be just fine for bass fishing and neither will have a difference in performance. A titanium frame with a thinner ceramic ring will perform better than a big clunky ceramic ring in a stainless frame. It’s about weight at that point. Great cork is more expensive than cheap cork or foam. Few are using great cork though so pick based on preference. the rest of cost is warranty, marketing, and quality control. A rod with ugly wraps and poor finish will fish just fine, but I don’t like to look at it.

Falcon expert 6’10” top water finesse jig. I use it for that and it’s perfect.

Revo mgx is tiny in hand and weighs 5.0 oz. The mg extreme is a fraction lighter.

303 is the recommendation in the autopilot forums. I haven’t even washed mine on the outside in a year and a half aside from disinfecting the passing in the footwell. I store mine inside so I’m not terribly worried about UV. I do need to wash and wax the bottom to pick up some speed I’ve lost though.

The falcon expert head turner is what you want. 6’10”, MH F. Great rod for light to medium frogging. I fish mine with jigs and Texas rigs mostly. Works well with blade baits. Very versatile rod.

2” soft crappie paddle tail or twister tail on a 1/8 oz head. This time of year there is a ton of dry still that are moving around in schools. It might be bass, it might be bluegill or wipers. But everything will eat a 2” minnow that has gone astray.