The Falcon rods thread

[casts_by_fly]

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

[r83srock]

Sweet post Rick! I’m a long time St. Croix user and was always intrigued by falcon. I needed a frog rod this summer and was in Walmart one day getting a few things. Was checking out the fishing department and saw they had Falcon EVO rods. I remembered handling some original buccos in the store, the only place I know of near me that has falcons. I picked up the 7’3” Heavy Falcon EVO and have been pleasantly surprised by it! For $80 it’s a really good rod. Great frog rod for me. It has the power I expect with a soft tip for accuracy. I’ve even thrown a jig some with it and it’s right at home there too, plenty sensitive. It’s not as light as some rods I have, but balances  well with a Daiwa Fuego CT. I would like to try a Tatula 150 also. I can’t imagine how nice the higher end lines are but wouldn’t mind finding out.

[casts_by_fly]

14 hours ago, r83srock said:

Sweet post Rick! I’m a long time St. Croix user and was always intrigued by falcon. I needed a frog rod this summer and was in Walmart one day getting a few things. Was checking out the fishing department and saw they had Falcon EVO rods. I remembered handling some original buccos in the store, the only place I know of near me that has falcons. I picked up the 7’3” Heavy Falcon EVO and have been pleasantly surprised by it! For $80 it’s a really good rod. Great frog rod for me. It has the power I expect with a soft tip for accuracy. I’ve even thrown a jig some with it and it’s right at home there too, plenty sensitive. It’s not as light as some rods I have, but balances  well with a Daiwa Fuego CT. I would like to try a Tatula 150 also. I can’t imagine how nice the higher end lines are but wouldn’t mind finding out.

 

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.

[Jweller]

I've always wanted to try Falcon but was bummed to read a little of their history and learn about their move overseas.  So I've stuck with St. Croix. 

 

I prefer shorter rods and so maybe soon I'll try a Head Turner...

[LrgmouthShad]

@Jweller just buy a Head Turner and thank us later 

[Woody B]

Disclaimer, I'm hard or rods.  I know I'm hard on rods.

 

 

I've had 2 Falcon rods.  I liked both, but broke both within a month of getting them.   One of them I accidently high sticked while snagged.  I would have been lucky if it hadn't broke.   The other broke between the first and second guide (from the butt, not the tip) the next cast after boat flipping a 2 pound bass.   I liked both of them, but other brands seem to survive "me" better.   

 

I wonder if the second one I broke was some kind of "blem" or something.  I bought it at a local tackle shop way to cheap.   ($45 for a Bucoo SR)

[casts_by_fly]

1 hour ago, Jweller said:

I've always wanted to try Falcon but was bummed to read a little of their history and learn about their move overseas.  So I've stuck with St. Croix. 

 

I prefer shorter rods and so maybe soon I'll try a Head Turner...

 

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.  

 

2 minutes ago, Woody B said:

Disclaimer, I'm hard or rods.  I know I'm hard on rods.

 

 

I've had 2 Falcon rods.  I liked both, but broke both within a month of getting them.   One of them I accidently high sticked while snagged.  I would have been lucky if it hadn't broke.   The other broke between the first and second guide (from the butt, not the tip) the next cast after boat flipping a 2 pound bass.   I liked both of them, but other brands seem to survive "me" better.   

 

I wonder if the second one I broke was some kind of "blem" or something.  I bought it at a local tackle shop way to cheap.   ($45 for a Bucoo SR)

 

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.

[craww]

This is a great break down. I’ve always loved the falcon rods I’ve owned. A 6’6” MH original, a lizard dragger bucoo and Cara, and the 7’M Mod spinning rod in the bucoo line. I love throwing smaller cranks like RC 0.5’s and the occasional rebel wee craw and that bucoo spinning rod is just a sweetheart to use. Very light and comfortable, parabolic but fast enough to target cast accurately.

 

I do wish Falcon would make some XF rods. I cast jigs and weighted caffeine Shads alot and everything I’ve ever seen from them has been a bit too slow for my tastes.

[r83srock]

I just got home from my best fishing trip of the year! Great day. Air temp was 55 and water temp was 49. Most fish came on a jig today. I did throw an A rig today some and decided to try it with my Tatula 150 on my Falcon EVO “amistad”. Caught 2 on it, one was a good one. Worked perfect!

[casts_by_fly]

16 hours ago, craww said:

This is a great break down. I’ve always loved the falcon rods I’ve owned. A 6’6” MH original, a lizard dragger bucoo and Cara, and the 7’M Mod spinning rod in the bucoo line. I love throwing smaller cranks like RC 0.5’s and the occasional rebel wee craw and that bucoo spinning rod is just a sweetheart to use. Very light and comfortable, parabolic but fast enough to target cast accurately.

 

I do wish Falcon would make some XF rods. I cast jigs and weighted caffeine Shads alot and everything I’ve ever seen from them has been a bit too slow for my tastes.

 

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. 

[rangerjockey]

Falcon used to make a casting rod in the Cara series called the shoal cranker. I let mine get away ,but I still think it was the best wiggle wart rod I've ever had.

I use the Medium canker now and it's good  but  the shoal cranker was better than the 4-17 or Mansfield.

The Virtus rods are also really good. I have the finesse jig rod in the red diamond series and it's a fine rod but personally I don't think it or the current Falcon cara version are as good as the original Eakins rod in the lowrider series for the 5/16 ball head. Jewell still makes that jig but it's now call the AJ.

I also have a Virtus that never made it to production I believe it was going to be called a Z series .

It's a 7ft. heavy so I guess it turned into the Titan but it has no markings on it at all except for a silver sharpie, but if someone is looking for a old school American made rod they are worth a look.

[Darth-Baiter]

next time i step off the plane in Brazil, i will have three 6-foot short Bucoo Peacock Bass Rods.  one guy had them, and he was the least exhausted of the group each evening.  the boat-rods were heavy sticks.  exhausting.    i think two 5 powers and one 4 would do the trick.  

[casts_by_fly]

18 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

next time i step off the plane in Brazil, i will have three 6-foot short Bucoo Peacock Bass Rods.  one guy had them, and he was the least exhausted of the group each evening.  the boat-rods were heavy sticks.  exhausting.    i think two 5 powers and one 4 would do the trick.  

 

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.

[Darth-Baiter]

1 hour ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

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.

i tried the 5's.  one step up in quality.  expert? something like that.  

[casts_by_fly]

3 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

i tried the 5's.  one step up in quality.  expert? something like that.  

 

the peacock bass rods come in Bucoo SR, Lowrider, expert, and Cara (in increasing price order).  technically one step up would be the lowrider, but since you have expert on the brain I'll assume its that one.  They have a 5 power expert.  That's the one that I was looking at for a local rod.  If its like the other 5-power rods in the lineup, that would be a medium heavy, 1/4-3/4 or so rated, and definitely lighter than I would have guessed for Peacock bass (hence my hesitation).

[Darth-Baiter]

I’m not so sure what rods I saw there. But I did get a pic.  Very short rods.   7 power!!!  Not five. 

 

 

 

[casts_by_fly]

that will be an expert on the left and a bucoo on the right, both the 7-power like you said.  If that's the same as the 7-power bass rods, those are going to be pretty stout.  

[LootyDjibouti]

Thread resurrection, I just picked up the Lizard Dragger in the Lowrider series (LFC-7H). But I actually intend to use it for light cover frogging. 

Initially I tried the Head Turner (Expert) for this purpose but I found the longer handle to be a bit cumbersome for me on the kayak. I still love that rod tho so I use it now for buzzbaits and swim jigs.

The LFC-7H has a shorter handle at 13.5" (TW measurement) vs. 14.75" in the Expert line. 

Very lightweight, only 4.1oz. Excited to take it out to the lake and test it out, think it could be the ticket. 

[Texas Flood]

I love Falcon rods. Got a Lowrider for flippin/pitchin and a Cara for heavy jigs/big swimbaits. St Croix's are my favorite rods but Falcon is right behind them.

[casts_by_fly]

3 hours ago, LootyDjibouti said:

Thread resurrection, I just picked up the Lizard Dragger in the Lowrider series (LFC-7H). But I actually intend to use it for light cover frogging. 

Initially I tried the Head Turner (Expert) for this purpose but I found the longer handle to be a bit cumbersome for me on the kayak. I still love that rod tho so I use it now for buzzbaits and swim jigs.

The LFC-7H has a shorter handle at 13.5" (TW measurement) vs. 14.75" in the Expert line. 

Very lightweight, only 4.1oz. Excited to take it out to the lake and test it out, think it could be the ticket. 

can’t wait to hear your thoughts on it.  Per above, the 7’ 6-power is maybe something I’m missing to the point I almost pulled out the bucco from the basement. I didn’t realize the lowrider had a short rear grip. That’s the same grip length as the cara 6’8”. Depending on how fast it really is, that could be a dandy Texas rig rod for pitching cover. 

[rangerjockey]

the Lizard dragger as per it's name was designed to be a Carolina rig rod. I like it as 1/2-3/4 football jig rod as well.

I don't fish a frog so I couldn't say, but I'm sure it would make a decent big worm rod also.

[casts_by_fly]

3 hours ago, rangerjockey said:

the Lizard dragger as per it's name was designed to be a Carolina rig rod. I like it as 1/2-3/4 football jig rod as well.

I don't fish a frog so I couldn't say, but I'm sure it would make a decent big worm rod also.

 

I'm not a dragger myself.  One technique that I never learned or really put any effort into.  Maybe one day.  The bucoo version of the dragger 1 though was one of my 3 main rods for a while.  It was my bigger bladed bait rod for 1/2 oz chatterbaits and spinnerbaits.  Its a great rod for that, but not what I'd call a fast action per falcon's website.  Definitely MF, but it does have good power up high on the rod.  It will flat out fling a 1/2 oz chatterbait with a big trailer like a zako or a 110 sized plopper (another thing its really good for).  I didn't fish texas rigs much when I was using this rod, but I could see it as a really good 1/4-3/8 oz texas rig rod.  I'd love a slightly lighter (weight) and more crisp version in the cara or lowrider lineup and I thought I had it in the expert but that's a totally different rod.  And now that I have the heavy cover jig a lot of the things I'd do with a dragger are already done with that rod.

[LrgmouthShad]

@casts_by_fly I am looking for a pitching stick that will handle heavy jigs ranging from 5/8oz-1 1/2oz. Of course trailer adds weight as well. This would be a straight braid deal with heavy gauge flipping jig hooks. Is the amistad what I am looking for? Would I be better off with the XH Amistad? What do you recommend?

 

Expert line

[casts_by_fly]

 

19 hours ago, LrgmouthShad said:

@casts_by_fly I am looking for a pitching stick that will handle heavy jigs ranging from 5/8oz-1 1/2oz. Of course trailer adds weight as well. This would be a straight braid deal with heavy gauge flipping jig hooks. Is the amistad what I am looking for? Would I be better off with the XH Amistad? What do you recommend?

 

Expert line

with braid, I’m going to say regular, not xh.  1.5 oz plus another chunk gets you nearly to 2 oz but the expert version will take it. If it was mono/fluoro I would say the xh. If you’re in very heavy vegetation then maybe the xh.  

[LrgmouthShad]

On 4/13/2024 at 9:09 PM, casts_by_fly said:

 

with braid, I’m going to say regular, not xh.  1.5 oz plus another chunk gets you nearly to 2 oz but the expert version will take it. If it was mono/fluoro I would say the xh. If you’re in very heavy vegetation then maybe the xh.  

And so I decided on the regular Amistad. Thank you for advising me

 

Should be here in a week