It amazes me how anglers feel they have to "upgrade" their rods to be more competitive. Unless you're going to real next level (G-Loomis etc) stuff, there's nothing wrong with the 100-150 dollar rods. You simply don't need to break the bank on a rod. Matt Robertson is an Elite Pro and uses $69 Ugly Stiks and does just fine. It's like my grandpa used to say, it's not the rod, it's the angler that can't catch em.....

I have about 2 dozen GLoomis rods and I still suck.

falcon, g loomis, and shimano all have pretty much rods for around ish

Stop sand-bagging me!

Thanks for all the input! I'm seeing lots of love for Falcon. I worked at Academy 25 years ago and I really pushed Falcon rods and Shimano reels, they were the best stuff for the money at the time, in my opinion. I might try to find a place around the Houston area that has some of the Caras or Experts and check them out. The last Falcon I picked up, unsure of the model, felt the same as the ones I used to sell and made me feel like maybe they hadn't kept up with modern actions and construction processes.

I am a Loomis rod-snob too.

I would say this about G. Loomis rods, if you don't wanna pop for the GLX or above stay with something else. I bought two IMX Pros a couple years ago and I do not like them as well as the iMX's of 20 yrs ago. Its not the quaity of the rod, they changed the handle and put a weird bump on it in front of the reel I don't like.

I agree. I have been using a handful of $100-$200 price range rods from Daiwa, Lews, and one G-Rod for years. I picked up a Falcon Lowrider "Heavy Cover Jig" rod a few months back and have been very impressed. I needed a good all-around heavy rod for frogs, punching some grass, and throwing a couple of heavy swimbaits. I fish out of a kayak so I am limited to the number of rods I can carry and didn't want to have to carry separate rods for each application. This one is awesome for what I needed.
I also just purchased 2 Lowrider "Swim Jig" rods. They are still in the shipping tube by the Christmas tree, but after checking them out at the house, I can't wait to get them out on the water.

I would give Falcon a try and see what you think.