I have a Lowrider Amistad and Lizard Dragger I got about a month ago. Well after using a Cara HCJ for a while now, I’ve spoiled myself and the Lowrider just doesn’t feel that nice for bottom baits. Fell in love with that Cara, it’s a phenomenal rod.

Falcon said I can trade the Lowriders in with some cash on top for Experts or Cara’s. I think I might just trade the LR Amistad straight up for a Cara Amistad, given how much I hear that the Amistad is a must from Falcon. Will use it for throwing 3/8oz+ jigs and Carolina rigs most likely. Probably throwing plastics into heavy cover too. I don’t have a real heavy rod for heavy cover type stuff, so I figured that’d be a good idea.

For the Lizard Dragger, I’m not sure what to trade in for. I haven’t cared too much for that rod, it’s okay for Texas rigs but that’s what I have the HCJ for. Just curious if there’s any other rods in the Expert or Cara series that y’all think are a “must have”. I was thinking the Cara Swim Jig for weightless senkos/flukes maybe, but I don’t know. I prefer a 7’+ rod.

I know there’s a bunch of Falcon boys on here so what better place to ask?

Head Turner and Swim Jig are a couple of my favorites, both are pretty versatile

I've got 7 of the Amistads. 2 are Experts, 2 caras and 3 lowriders. Love them all for different things but to me the Amistad is the best rod Falcon makes. Can flip with it, carolina rig, swim jig, small swimbaits, chatterbaits (lowrider blank) etc. I've got quite a few other falcon blanks but the Amistads never get left at home.

Amistad is a great all around rod. I used the swim jig rod for soft plastics..fluke/senko. And the swimbait rod for swim jigs.

By far the Heavy Cover jig, Amistad, Swim Jig, and Head Turner were my favorite rods they make.

I probably have about 50 Falcon rods I have accumulated over the years. I do like the Cara and Expert for more sensitive applications. But I have caught lots of fish on the Lowrider Lizard Dragger. The Lowriders do tend to feel a little softer feel. I like them for moving / reaction baits. As mentioned above the Cara Amistad is hard to beat. Great all-around rod for Jigs, T-Rig, C-Rig, Frog, Swimbait, etc.

The Experts remind me a lot of the prior version Cara T7 versions. I have quite a few of the Experts from when Flacon transitioning the Caras to the new models and were not available. I think they just redesigned the Experts again for 2025. I haven't tried one yet. They run about $30 less than the Cara.

How does the Cara compare to the Lowrider for the Amistad?

Reading this I should probably use my Cara Amistad more than I do. I have 3 Low Rider all arounds that are great doing anything, cranks, chatterbaits, topwater, even flipping. I love them.

The Cara Amistad I have is about 10 years old and still one of the best I own. So versatile. I also have a Swim Jig rod and it's also highly versatile. Throw top water, chatterbaits TX rigs. Almost anything on it

heavy cover jig, amistad, swim jig, and the all around are some of my favorites!! dont love the finesse jig rod(mainly dont like the length), but it's good for what it is

sensitivity is far greater, far lighter, the fit and finish is top notch and components are greatly upgraded. I have 2 lowrider and 5 Caras and my only regrets are getting the two low riders instead of the cara

That brown Lizard dragger is my favorite rod of all time.

Will trade ya for a Cara swim jig

If I had one to trade….id be game.

Trade ya a Steez rod for it. Haha.

Am I really missing out with my hobo bucoo rods?😆

Nope, I've got three Bucoos and have no intentions of getting rid of them or trading them in. I use them for moving baits and really like them. Caught my biggest bass (10.5lbs) on the 7' medium Bucco back in 2023. If I were to buy a new moving bait rod today I'd probably get Lowrider, but nothing wrong with the Buccos at all in my opinion. Best $100 rod on the market and it's not even close.