Falcons are excellent rods. I like mine quite well.

Recently, I've been buying some Okuma tackle. I am constantly amazed with the quality for the money. Look at their guide select rods and the corrado reels or the epixor reel. Multi ball bearings and baitrunners. They are tough and smooth.

I found an Okuma casting rod in 7'-6", heavy (3/4-2 oz) which I intend to use for stripers on Cape Cod in a few weeks and snook and redfish next summer. The real cool thing? It's two piece. No airline hassles. I'll let you know how it works out.