Falcon unveiled 10 spinning and seven casting models to resellers at ICAST, the sportfishing industry’s international trade show in Orlando July 11-12-13, 2012. With prices starting at only $160, the LowRider Salt rods share many of the features of its successful freshwater series counterpart – LowRider XG – but adds corrosion resistant guides, wider tip top guides to accommodate leader knots, and rod actions specific to lures, conditions and nearshore gamefish like tarpon, redfish, snook, speckled trout, flounder and striped bass.

Chris Beckwith, president of the Broken Arrow, Oklahoma rod company, said Falcon LowRider Salt rods were designed in collaboration with Gulf of Mexico saltwater guides from Texas to Florida with some serious input from Captain C. A. Richardson of St. Petersburg, Florida, tournament pro and host of Flats Class TV, the nationally-broadcast series.

“C. A. has taken flats fishing to a whole new level by demonstrating the many ways saltwater anglers can land more trophy fish,” said Beckwith. “LowRider Salt models make it possible for saltwater anglers execute the tips that C. A. teaches, such as making super-long casts, imparting correct lure action, and successfully battling the fast, leaping, muscular fish you are targeting. Richardson’s design strategies are reflected, especially, in two 7-ft, 6-inch models, each with 10 guides — Flats Class — which he described as “musts for serious artificial lure enthusiasts for trout and redfish on the shallow flats.” One has light action with a medium flex. It loads the full length of the blank for longer casts. The other has medium action with medium fast flex, still enabling a long cast but adding backbone to the rod for properly working larger spoons and other heavier lures.