Over the years, I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to personally use and test many brands and types of reeds. Each one is unique in its own way and has its own character. I have used a lot of fine reeds like St. Croix, G. Loomis, Kistler, Daiwa, Shimano, and Lamiglas. About five years ago I was introduced to a company called Sirrus Rods, now known as Airrus Rods. The company was just getting started and there weren’t too many models to choose from, but due to their incredible technological advancements and perseverance they have since become a world-class company and have many models and types of rods available. Folks, I’ll warn you, these rods will blow your mind! Let me share with you some of my recent experiences regarding Airrus shafts. I really hope this serves as a guide and helps you with your next new rod purchase.
Airrus Achievements:
Rods Co-Matrix 457 ……. ICAST 2002 Rod category “Best of Show”
Outdoor Life …………… 2003 “Editors Choice” Award for the best baitcast rod.
Spectra ATF bars ……. ICAST 2003 Bar category “Best of Show”
Rods Tradition ………….. ICAST 2004 Rods Category “Best of Show”
Field & Stream ………… 2004 Tradition Rod was selected # 1 for 2004.
Puls-R rod …………….. ICAST 2006 Fresh water rod “Best of Show”
CO-MATRIX 457 rod by Airrus
Airrus Rods has always been at the forefront of technology and this is extremely evident in
each and every one of the models of their rods. The first rod that I would like to share information about is the
Co-Matrix 457. The rod I tested was a 7 ‘Medium Heavy Fast action casting rod. I used the new
Ardent XS 1000 reel with 15LB-Berkley fluorocarbon line. The Co-Matrix not only has abundant
amount of energy, but it is also extremely sensitive. This reed is unique in the fact that two different
Manufacturing processes were used on this rod. This is how Airrus describes this process …
“Filament winding, used in the lower section of the rod to provide maximum hook fit and
formability and our patented Multi-Modulus tip section, designed to provide the best combination
presentation of the lure, rod control and sensitivity. “This rod and reel combination allowed me to
Incredibly long cast and still keep precision a priority, as well as control. I was using a 5 “weightless
stick worm and allow it to sink and then bring it back to the surface for repeated
process. The Co-Matrix was so sensitive that it could feel every piece of structure that was
here. This is how a 7 ‘MH rod should feel in my opinion! The problem is that, to many already heavier
power rods feel like, well … long and heavy power rods, which aren’t very conducive to fishing all day
excursion.
I found this rod to be very well balanced right out of the box. But, in case you can be
using a heavier spool or a lighter spool than the one I was using, Airrus has put a removable nylon cap on the cylinder head
bar section so that weight can be added to ensure proper balance is achieved. I’ll say
From the beginning, the folks at Airrus have thought of everything and put it to use in their
rod alignment. The handle of the wand is unlike any I have ever seen. Airrus calls it the “Comfort
Grip grip. The grip incorporates high quality Portuguese cork and a material called Hypalon.
The Hypalon section is located right where the hand rests on the rod handle and is the most sensitive and
comfortable material that I have experienced. Airrus uses Fuji Hardloy guides with “Concept” spacing
and a Fuji ECSM graphite filled Nylon 6 reel seat which is a deadly combination when it comes to
sensitivity. The Co-Matrix retails between $ 94.95 and $ 125.95 depending on the model you
choose. It is available in casting, spinning, flip & pitch and crankin ‘models. There are 19 models in the
baitcast series and 11 models in the spinning series. In my opinion this rod will keep up with any rod.
in the market it costs double!
SPECTRA ATF rod by Airrus
The next Airrus rod I tried was the Spectra ATF spinning rod in 7 ‘Medium Power Fast action.
model. In a matter of minutes, I could definitely see why Airrus won the “Best of Show” in 2003 at the
ICAST Show with this rod. It is an extremely precise and sensitive rod. This rod contains another
Airrus technology breakthrough called “Selective Sensitivity”. Airrus is the first company to use
multi-fiber filament winding to a raw bar with the addition of spectra fiber to the filament winding
matrix in the lower section of the blank rod. When they added spectral fiber to the matrix, they were
capable of damping vibrations, which affect launch distance and accuracy, as well as increasing rods
sensitivity. This may sound very technical to you and believe me, it is. You can actually see the
difference in internal construction of an Airrus rod through paint! This is the kind of technology
That has made me a true Airrus fan. The ATF was a fairly light feel rod, but it had a lot of backbone
to do the job. This rod was combined with the new Ardent S-400M spinning reel with PLine Halo
in the 10LB test and the distance reached during the launch was phenomenal. I was throwing 4 “stick worms
insanely rigged with this setup. I also put this rod to the test by using it as a drop-shot rig and releasing
the weight on the line up to the 6LB test. I was very impressed with the way the Spectra ATF
performed in both scenarios! The Spectra ATF also uses the high-grade “Comfort Grip” system.
Portuguese cork and Hypalon, but also has a removable 4 “Hypalon stock extension that comes with the
rod. Once again, the Hypalon is located right where your hands rest for maximum comfort and sensitivity.
When you add the rear section on the rod, this allows you to cast your lure even further using the
Two-handed launch method for increased leverage. The nylon cap is also built into this rod to
weight and balance purposes and the Spectra AFT uses Fuji Alconite guides in the “Concept” spacing
too. The reel seat provided increased sensitivity as Airrus uses Fuji ECSM exposed blank seats. I
I would put this rod against ANY rod on the market and the amazing part is the only rod cost
$ 149.95. I have paid more than double that amount for rods that were far inferior to the Spectra ATF. Tea
The Spectra series consists of 5 cast models and 3 spinning models to suit your fishing needs.
Airrus PULS-R rod
The next rod in the Airrus family that I had the pleasure of testing was the Puls-R series. Its beautiful
The deep maroon color had me starring in this rod for some time before I even put a reel on it. The attention
The craftsmanship that Airrus puts into each and every one of the reeds in each series is simply incredible. One does
You won’t find this kind of quality anywhere else. I found that the Puls-R series went even one step further
And once again, Airrus has developed a totally new concept in rod construction. Carlos on Airrus Rods
would explain the process as such, “The Puls-R is the ultimate in high performance composite rods from
Airrus and represents a rod built with the latest in state-of-the-art multi-fiber filament winding.
combined with the latest advances in Carbon Fiber Nano Tube epoxy resin systems ”. This is the most
definitely the best of both worlds in one rod. It also happened to be the most sensitive rod I have ever owned.
ugly my hands on. At the bottom of the rod white, graphite fibers combine with a new S2
fiberglass at the rate of one fiberglass for each fiber and a half of graphite. I tried the 6’9 ”
Medium Heavy Power with quick tip on the casting model. Pair the Puls-R with the Brand New
Ardent C400 baitcaster (holy fumes !!!) with 12 LB PLine Halo, strapped to a spinnerbait and I went to
fish.
The first thing I noticed was the incredible sensitivity that was reflected through the handle. you guys
See, this reed doesn’t use material like cork or Hypalon in the handle like the aforementioned reeds do.
The Puls-R rod handle is a full contact grip that fuses internally with the blank. It’s like you’re holding
at the megaphone end of a one-piece unit. It was as if he was holding a custom made bar that was made
only for me! He could feel every turn of the spinnerbait blade and every piece of structure as he went slowly.
rolling up the spinnerbait. The Puls-R had a very fast and responsive tip, but a lot of backbone when
he set the hook and wrestled the 5 1 / 2LB largemouth out of a thick bed of brush. The Puls-R is by far the
The most “pristine” rod I have ever used! To make things even more unique and personalized, Airrus uses a
Patented split reel seat to ensure maximum rod-hand contact as well as locking wraps on the
single foot guides. The guides they use on the Puls-R are super hard and light with double stamping.
Guides with TiCA inserts and frame, which means your inserts will no longer fall off or crack.
The Puls-R is available in 5 cast iron models and 3 spinning models. The cane retails for $ 249.99, which
It’s an absolute steal for the quality and craftsmanship that the Puls-R possesses. The rod is a bit
heavier than I expected, but it was NOT a problem as it balanced extremely well. There are 5 casting
available models and 3 swivel models to best suit your applications.
I can’t really think of anything negative to say regarding the Airrus bar line. I am aware of
this is a review of the product, but these rods really are amazing! I cannot offer advice because these good people
At Airrus they have mastered rod building to a futuristic level. The only small detail is that some models are
a bit heavier than expected but that wasn’t a problem at all considering the clever balancing system
Airrus has incorporated it into the butt section of their reeds. Below are some details that stand out in my
mind as real positives over the Airrus line of shafts.
1. Incredible attention to detail.
2. Unmatched craftsmanship.
3. The latest and greatest cutting edge technology combined in one revolutionary fishing rod.
4. Beautiful flawless cosmetics.
5. Mammoth launch distance is achieved through the Airrus series of rods.
6. Very affordable! Less than half the price of competitors with an inferior product!
7. The most pristine and sensitive rods I have ever held in my hands. Each of all Airrus rods
8. Makes you feel like you are using a custom made rod.
9. A plethora of models available to suit any fishing budget, technique, style or situation.