Koi species is a colored variant of the Amur carps. All of us have seen them in decorative koi ponds or aquariums. Originally, these fishes were nothing but the common carps. They were nursed and bred for generating specific colors. The most common colors are orange, white, blue, dark, red, orange, mixed, etc. Their color looks mesmerizing with some unique patterns. They were a popular food source for the Japanese and Chinese people. Later, people started to keep them as their pets. Nowadays, their popularity is at its peak. So, the anglers often in search of Koi carp fishing areas.
An Introduction to Koi Carp Fishing
Habitat
The koi carps hardly have a natural habitat. They are not available as top carp varieties. Their unique bright colors are responsible for falling prey to the freshwater predators. Besides, people don’t harvest them for eating purposes. Only a few lakes keep these fishes and let everyone catch them. So, before going to any fishing spots, check whether it yields koi or not. However, the Koi can survive in wild freshwater water sources. Many ponds and lakes naturally cover them without any investment.
Nature of koi
Knowing the behavior of fishes is the key to the success of professional anglers. They are omnivorous feeders. It means they look for food supply in every water depth. It is the reason why you can try both shallow water and deep water fishing methods. They keep traveling in various layers to control the temperature change. Cold-water forces them to find shifts from the shallow water. On the other hand, higher temperature brings them back to shallow water. But it may not be valid for each Koi. During summer, the oxygen supply in the water reduces. Then, they roam around dense water vegetation. Areas with pellet flies, algae flies have a high chance of having Koi too. Once you catch this Asian carps, they put up tough fights. It may take longer than grass carps to bring them on the ground or boat. Sometimes, people lose their weak hooks and lines while doing it.
Koi fishing gears
Well, the type of fishing kits depends on the size of the fishes. Koi usually can get about 12 to 15 inches long. The Japanese fishes have a 20 to 26 inches body. If lucky, you can find a giant koi that grow up to 35-inches. Using the same combination of the fishing items for different-sized fishes will not work at all. Also, these items vary a lot based on your motive. We are presenting the types so that you can select as per need.
1. Rod
There are a lot of specialized Koi fishing rods available in the market. A 12-foot extended model with a 2.5-pound test curve can be the most suitable one for beginners. You can classify them into three categories based on the action. The first is through-action rods. Its most significant benefit is that the fisherman doesn’t have to set the clutch again and again. Such gear lessens the risk of hook pulls. It allows you to cast the fishing line accurately at a shorter range. The inability to throw further and to pair with big hooks are the drawbacks. In the second position, we have medium action types. With advanced functionalities, these rods enable the user to deal with small and large fishes well. Excellent control and incredible hook setting power make them a perfect rod for short to medium range fishing. But you are not allowed to use them in extreme-range activities. You have to bring a Fast-action rod, which is the final type. We can enjoy the ultimatum performance with proper casting techniques. They can withstand the use of heavier weights for catching massive fishes.
2. Reel
The Koi fishing reels are constructed with stronger parts to defeat the power of giant carp fishes. A conventional spinning reel may not fulfill this requirement. The bait feeders consist of two drag technologies. Their efficiency brings them into the list of most angler’s favorite reels. A quick drag reel version comes with a robust drag setup. It utilizes a dial that helps to adjust the fighting strength of the drag easily. A specimen angler loves to work with bit pit reels. Their heavily geared systems can target heavy catches at a wide range. They are heavier, most expensive, and bigger compared to other kinds. Finally, here are spods and marker reels. Since they offer a higher gear ratio, people mainly use them for baiting with convenience. Moreover, if you judge the drag system, you have three choices: front, rear, and quick.
3. Line
A lot of expert fishers recommend 50 lb. test braided line due to several advantages. The braid lines have non-stretching characteristics. As a result, we can achieve better sensitivity for advanced bite indication. They will lead you accurately to the place you are targeting. The sturdiness, durability, and supreme control are quite impressive. Contrarily, the monofilament lines are stretchy. As you can assume, they won’t give your precise casting opportunities. Still, we love them due to high abrasion resistance. The clear strings become invisible underwater and trick fishes. The last line is the fluorocarbon line. They are not so elastic, still more than their braid counterparts. They are blessed with slippery texture and less visibility.
Best Season for Koi Fishing
The behavior of koi fish is pretty interesting. They don’t eat a lot until the water gets warmer. For this reason, winter is a big no for koi fishing. The water temperature begins to rise as soon as spring comes. The fishes become very active and look for food to feed. They get healthier and more aggressive. The carp fishing technique to trace the koi carp location is to search for bubbles. Also, keep your eyes on water clouding and signs of swimming. Summer is a decent time for koi fishing as well. Don’t forget to purchase floating pellets to draw the attention of koi. Check the thick weeds because the fishes often hide there for accommodation. If you plan to try fishing on autumn days, target heavily baited areas. Be sure of selecting the right boilies.