Falcon Cara/Expert....6'11" Frog or 7'3" Amistad?

[Seth]

I'm going to be purchasing a couple Falcon Cara or Expert series rods this spring before our bass tournaments get up and rolling. I'm for sure getting a finesse jig (6'10" MH/MF) and a head turner (6'10" H/MF) as those two rods will probably see the most usage based on how I typically fish. The next rod that I need to decide on will be for pitching jigs/trigs and occasionally tossing a 130 whopper plopper, which weights 1.5oz. I'm torn on whether to get a froggin rod (6'11" H/F) or the Amistad (7'3" H/F). Most of my fishing in close quarter since I typically fish the Gasconade, Osage and Maramec rivers or near docks when I get on a lake.

Which one would you prefer? Also, is there much difference between the Cara and Expert line ups? I've held both and they are both really awesome feeling rods.

[drew03cmc]

Personally, the 6'11 would be a fun stick for rivers.

[Fish24/7]

the 6'11 Expert is rated 3/8 -2oz? should have nice tip action for casting tight quarters and it also has a great backbone to stick em good when pitching, if your going to use that heavy plopper i'd buy that 6'11 over the Amistad which seems more like  just a flippin stick to me with that 1/2-1 1/2 oz range. jmo

the new Expert has new japanese carbon and the upgraded T3 blanks i believe, a little bit cheaper than the Amistad i think too. could buy a couple more ploppers w/ money you'll save maybe. 

heck I might buy that 6'11 myself , i like it!

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

I love my 6'10 head turner, you can use it for a lot of different things, Ive been using my 7'3" Cara Deep cranker for the plopper the last few years and it has worked great

 

[Seth]

51 minutes ago, aarchdale@coresleep.com said:

I love my 6'10 head turner, you can use it for a lot of different things, Ive been using my 7'3" Cara Deep cranker for the plopper the last few years and it has worked great

 

I think I'm going to love that Head Turner based on what I've heard about it. I'm a die hard spinner bait guy so it will see a lot of time in my hands. Another guy I know who is a Falcon guy also recommended that Deep Cranker rod for the 130 plopper. I'm fairly knew to ploppin so I'm not quite ready to pick up a dedicated setup for it just yet. Plus I don't really fish anywhere that allows me to do any deep cranking so I can't really justify picking one up just yet. I've been throwing them on a Skeet Reese 7'2" jig/worm rod with 65# braid and doing alright, but something with a more moderate action would be ideal.

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

My head turner has a spinnerbait tied on it 90% of the time, i also throw a lot of warts or squarebills with it too.   If i see you out this spring ill stop by and let you take the Deep Cranker for a spin.   I feel like i saw your Legend a lot last year either on Taney or Bridgeport area, and also In Ozark driving by.  That boat kinda stands out to me for some reason

[Seth]

I’ve been on Taney a lot the past few years so it is very possible. I fish Phils winter trout tourneys and usually make a few trips down in the summer and fall.

[mixermarkb]

I have a 7'3" deep runner Cara for sale, as well as a Cara 7'4" Mike McC. Football jig rod. I'd take $250 plus shipping for the pair, and could probably meet up somewhere. Not the rods you are looking at, but thought I'd chime in anyway.

Fwiw, I really liked the Amistad I had, its a very versatile stick. It's got a bit more moderate action than most flipping type sticks, and loads up real well with a Plopper 130 or a similar sized swimbait. I liked it a lot for BIG keitechs on 3/4oz heads, as well as the Plopper. I broke it by kneeling on it, or it would still be in the lineup.

[MOsmallies]

I own 3 of the 4 you ar looking at. The Finesse Jig Rod and Head Turner are my most used rods too. They are awesome!!! The Amistad is a great stick too. I mainly use it for flipping/pitching around heavy cover/docks and bigger jigs 5/8 oz and up. It would work well for the 130 plopper I think and you could probably throw an A-Rig on it as well. You won't be disappointed with Falcon.

[Lvn2Fish]

Dude the 6’11 is one of if not the nicest rod I’ve ever fished with . Doesn’t hurt that I just dropped a 21 pound bag with it in the OMTT. For a 3/4 or 1/2 spinnerbait it was unreal . And I guarantee it will be a frog skipping mo-fo . As well as a great swim jig rod .