Once we had
our balanced rig we set out for months of field testing with this rod. Tossing
everything from jigs and plastics, to crankbaits and plugs. The model we tested
(UXLC701M) was softer than many of the rods we tested but that is to expected as
the rod is rated "Medium-Fast" in action and "Medium" in power. While this rod
can throw plastics we found it ideal for crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and jerkbaits.
With these lures we could cast great distances and work our way back across vast
strike zones. Anglers that regularly fish jerkbaits for stripers know how
ripping can do a real number on your wrist. A fierce jerking action drives
stripers into a frenzy as it incites erratic movement on your lure, but doing so
with a stiff rod puts a lot of pressure on your joints. On the other hand if you
use a overly soft rod it takes a serious amount of rod movement to deliver that
perfect action to the lure. The Ultra XL gives anglers the best of both worlds.
The strong filament wound butt section of this rod gets the bait moving quick as
the rod loads up swiftly. Then to deliver the right action to your lure the
graphite rod tip arcs in a lively yet controlled motion. Ripping even large
Yozuri Mag Minnows is made easier with the smooth and consistent arc the XL is
able to generate.

A genuine flip down Fuji
hook-keeper stows out of the way flat when not in use
Once a fish is on the line the Ultra XL manhandles them. The tip can arc like a
whip to about the fifth guide, then the lower section of the rod is all muscle.
This combination of forgiving tip with the powerfully built lower section does
two things. One, it allows anglers to set hard without fear of ripping the bait
out of the fish's mouth. Two, it gives anglers plenty of room when it comes to
fighting a fish. I found that I could muscle in fish more than I normally do
because the forgiving tip would help compensate when the fish turned or decided
it was time to run. With the brawny butt section it is easy to maintain pressure
on the fish at all times, and turn and guide them in even before they had fully
tired. Overall when it comes to casting and retrieving I prefer the longer butt
section because it is easier to balance the entire outfit and provides more
leverage when casting and fighting fish. But it is nice that anglers that prefer
finesse fishing with light plastics have the option of the smaller butt, or to
not use any butt at all and configure the XL like a pistol grip rod.

Want to go pure pistol? Remove the
butt section completely
Sensitivity: When we say "super-exposed" blank through we mean it. In fact
calling this design a "blank through" doesn't do it justice. In contrast to just
about every other rod out there the Ultra XL exposes more "blank" to the angler
than reel seat. A proprietary reel seat and a Fuji clamp hold the reel securely
in place over the open blank design. This allows anglers to put two fingers
directly on the blank when normally retrieving and up three fingers on the blank
when palming the reel. With such copious access to the blank strikes are so
easily discernable that I rarely missed opportunities.

|
Our test rod proved to be
fantastic for ripping for stripers. The tip was lively and forgiving while the
lower section was all muscle |
Power: The Ultra XL delivers plenty of fish fighting power, and
once again the unique multi material design and construction is the reason why.
The lower section of this rod is where all the muscle rests. During our test I
hooked into countless stripers in the 18-24 inch range. These fish have quite a
bit of fight for a fish this size, and yet none were any match for the Ultra XL.
On multiple occasions I even deliberately high-sticked the rod in an effort to
strain the blank, but in each and every case the rod bore the load easily. With
the longer butt section you can really gain superior leverage on the fish you
are fighting. AiRRUS builds a mean rod when it comes to power and durability.

|
In the light anglers can really
appreciate the exquisiteness of the filament wound lower section of the rod |
Ergonomics: It is in the ergonomics department that the Ultra XL
really shines the brightest. The rod is slightly heavier than some competing
rods, but we will gladly take the increase in weight in exchange for the power
it demonstrated when fighting stripers. Overall the rod design is sound and the
attention to detail on the Ultra XL is excellent. Our test rod featured flawless
threading, and the fusion between materials is superb. In terms of comfort the
Ultra XL allows anglers to customize not only the length of the rod but also the
balance to perfectly match their chosen reel. This flexibility allows you to use
low profile baitcasters or round reels and still obtain a perfect balance.
Most bass anglers these days prefer cork over hypalon grips. In the past
Airrus rods like the Co-Matrix, Spectra AFT, and even the Centurion have
appealed to both camps by making use of both materials in the grip construction.
At first I was taken aback with the Ultra XL's use of hypalon grips, it
certainly wasn't AiRRUS's style to go backwards in terms of design. As it turns
out what I originally thought were traditional hypalon grips was something
entirely new. The Ultra XL makes us of "thermalon" which is a re-engineered
hypalon. Thermalon is more comfortable to the touch, easier to grip, and
features improved thermal attributes. That's right..."thermal attributes!"
Anglers fishing in cold conditions will love the thermalon grips ability to trap
heat keeping your hands warmer, and allowing your fingers to reap the benefits
of that open blank design even in wintry conditions.

Palming with the Ultra XL allows
anglers to place up to three fingers directly on the blank comfortably
Price & Applications:
A custom type rod at a price for everyone. At 159.95 the Ultra XL is a great
deal. AiRRUS deserves high praise for building a superior rod in terms of
sensitivity and power and only increasing the price a measly 10 bucks over the
previous generation Spectra. With the changeable butt design the rod can be used
for multiple applications from finesse bass fishing to heavy ripping, and even
some inshore saltwater jigging applications. This is one versatile performer.
Ratings:
AiRRUS
Ultra XL (UXLC701M) Ratings (?/10) |
Construction/Quality |
Made with a multi-modulus design and varying materials this innovative rod
is constructed like no other |
9 |
Performance |
The
rod performed well in all our tests. The super-exposed blank design and
removal of upper grip provides anglers with more access to the blank than
ever before. In terms of power the rod's lower section has the muscle to
really move fish |
9 |
Price |
A
rod with all these features should easily cost 199.99, and yet AiRRUS sticks
to their guns and delivers the Ultra XL with a retail price of 159.95 |
9 |
Features |
This rod features a plethora of innovations including the removable
interchangeable butt sections, a multi-modulus blank design, and use of a
re-engineered new hypalon grip |
9 |
Design
(Ergonomics) |
The
overall weight of the rod is heavier than other rods, but is well balanced
and very comfortable once adjusted properly to match your reel. The use of
thermalon grip is a very nice touch |
9 |
Application |
A
great rod for its intended design, but can tackle much more from larger
freshwater species to inshore saltwater game |
9 |
Total Score |
9.0 |
Pluses and Minuses:
Plus
Minus |
J
Innovative design and construction
|
L
Overall weight is slightly heavier than
some rods |
J
Interchangeable butt sections |
|
J
Use of "Thermalon" grips |
|
J
Ability to balance just about any reel |
|
J
Exceptional value for a rod of this
quality |
|
Conclusion: The tradition of innovation that AiRRUS is known
for is alive and well in the Ultra XL. This rod performed well in all our field
tests and proved to be among the most versatile bass rods ever tested due to the
interchangeable butt section design. There are really three configurations for
this rod; long handle, short handle, or no handle. Whatever the configuration
you prefer the super-exposed reel seat design allows for unprecedented access to
the blank. AiRRUS seems to think of everything, and the use of thermalon in the
place of hypalon is the icing on the cake, helping keep your fingers warm and
mobile enough to maximize use of the open blank design. Anglers looking for a
rod that looks and feels like a custom rod but with the price tag far shy of a
custom
will love
the Ultra XL. This is the best AiRRUS yet and it will be interesting to see if
the company is able to top this one when they release the N-Sync shortly. In
addition to the ICAST awards the company won in years past they can now add a
second TackleTour Editors Choice Award to the list, for the high performing and
exceptionally versatile rod that is.... the AiRRUS Ultra XL.