Im a cara man but with the availability issues in the last two years im either leaving falcon to go to
Dobyns or trying experts..... opinions please

Wondering the same. Sam at Falcon told me earlier this week that ETA was two month for the Cara model I am wanting. He said the Caras are still made in the USA. He would not elaborate on reason for the shortage. I assume they are waiting on the blanks or material for the blanks.

ive heard they are discontinued its been two years since the availability was so scarce

One of the guys at falcon told me they are still making caras in USA. I got the expert dragger/ heavy cover rod and it�s been my Carolina rig rod so far and real happy with it. I also got the 6�11 frogging/pitchin rod and only used it couple trips and can�t tell difference between my caras and experts. I have not tried the new Lowriders yet but hate they took away a lot of the Lowrider models like swimjig rod and few others

I have a 7' MH "new" Expert - It's ok - I don't think its as good the Cara's or the 2nd generation Expert. The made in China was 1st thing I saw when I took it out of tube. Kinda disappointed me.

I notice that on the website talking about the new rod blank. CROSSMATCH�

Our all-new, state-of-the-art composite of Japanese carbon whose multi-layer, cross-directional fibers boost strength while requiring less material and resin. The result is a rod that�s significantly lighter, incredibly muscular, and considerably more sensitive. Other benefits include superior resistance to torsional deflection. In other words, the blank resists rollover or twist which can help increase cast accuracy.

Been a Falcon guy since '95...like many, I've been disappointed with the Cara availability situation. I picked up two of new Experts earlier this year: a 6'8" Jerkbait rod and 7' spinning rod. They're both super light and sensitive. Don't have anything negative to say about them, but really haven't had a chance to put them through the ringer yet either.

If you do switch from Falcon give Kistler a look. I switched about 5 years ago from Dobyns to Kistler. Great American made rods.

Man I just had the same experience. Broke my Cara frog rod a couple of months ago and can’t afford to wait on one to be available. Really hoping this Expert performs the same. Never had issues with any of my Cara rods outside of a couple of breakers on hookset. My old Lowriders have all experienced issues however. Really hoping these perform as the Cara and not the Lowrider. I’d be looking to a different brand if they don’t live up to the Cara.

I’ve got a 7-4 and 7-6 heavy Experts. So far I’m really happy with them.

My buddy has one and he likes it. He has many of the older Falcons too and he has no complaints with the new expert.

Good to know. I’ll put it to the test in a few weeks.

If feel you pain. Very disappointed when I saw that a majority of Falcon products went overseas. Never had any of the higher end products. I do find myself watching the classified posts and purchasing older gear.

I was able to test it out today and was presently surprised. It seems lighter than the Cara I previously owned but with the same feel and action. It was listed as having a 1/2 inch longer butt than the Cara but I can’t see or feel the difference. Hooked into a 7 pounder on a frog which took off before I could even set the hook. The rod took the bulk of that fish power and lived up to my precious Cara.. Will be interesting to see how its holding up 3 years from now.

I will be curious to see if that is true. I can’t understand having two rod series in basically the same price range. If you have the Expert made in China costing the same as the Cara made here then they are maximizing profit or the Cara is probably going to go way up in price as a high end rod.