TULALA Harmonix Corona 75 MLTC-HX

To Battle Large Rainbows in Medium and Main Rivers

In Hokkaido, where I live, the main trout targets in medium and large rivers include rainbow trout, brown trout, whitespotted char, and large iwana (chars). In Honshu, this would also include cherry salmon. The Corona 75MLTC-HX was specifically developed as part of our high-end series to target large rainbow trout, particularly those over 60 cm, known for their dashing runs and repeated jumps.

The need for a 7-foot range baitcasting rod capable of handling large rainbows in medium and large rivers became clear. Our goal was to design a rod that could handle 40-50 cm trout while focusing on larger ones as well.

The three core concepts of the rod are:

1. Flexibility that can withstand the powerful dashes of large rainbows.
2. Follow-through sensitivity that can handle head shakes during jumps.
3. Pinpoint casting performance.

If the rod can deliver pinpoint casts and handle the dashes and jumps of large rainbow trout over 60 cm, it should be able to tackle a variety of large trout species. Many anglers, myself included, have experienced the frustration of being outmatched by a trout’s intense dash right after it bites the lure, or losing a catch when a fish shakes off the hook with a single jump. It’s a common story of losing a rare catch.

To avoid such disappointment and increase catch rates, we continued testing the Corona 75MLTC-HX for about two years. Our goal was to create a rod that enhances the feeling of triumph when finally landing one of these beautiful large trout.

As a result, the Corona 75MLTC-HX has proven capable of handling not just rainbow trout but various large trout species. I take pride in saying that we’ve developed an outstanding rod. Additionally, during the trout off-season, it can also be used for seabass fishing. This truly versatile rod is a medium to large river plugging specialist, perfect for various target fish species.

— TULALA Field Staff, Yoshiyuki Ogawa

Detail:

Blanks:

The Harmonics blanks provide a dual characteristic: they feel stiff during rod action, giving a sense of agility, but once a fish is hooked, the rod gradually softens and bends flexibly. This dual shifting nature of the Harmonics blanks helps absorb the powerful dashes of rainbow trout while the tip follows through during head shakes mid-jump.

Casting Weight:

The casting weight range is 4–28g, allowing for versatility across a wide variety of lures, from 5 cm minnows to 18 cm minnows. The optimal lure weight for the most comfortable use is around 10g, and floating minnows in the 7–9 cm range are particularly easy to handle. The rod can also manage vibrations up to around 14g, making lift-and-fall techniques possible.

Guide Setting:

The guide setting is based on a straw setup, which provides "maximum casting distance with minimal guide diameter." The guide arrangement is primarily designed for PE lines, making it resistant to wind and line troubles while maintaining high pinpoint casting performance and satisfactory casting distance. This setup also prevents slack in the line, enhancing lure control. However, it tends to keep the line tight, making it less suited for rod actions that rely on line slack.

One major drawback is that the small-diameter guides are prone to freezing in winter. To prioritize peak performance during the main season, the straw guide setup was chosen, and use in sub-zero temperatures between December and March is discouraged.

Grip Length:

The grip length is 27.5 cm and features a semi-double design. The length ensures that the grip end does not hit the body during casting, making single-hand backhand casting easier.