I used to have one as a pet when I was a kid. They get tame enough to pet them.

But since you want to kill them, do the flounder spear like BFH recommended.

The one I had as a pet liked to eat Dog Food with a little fish oil drizzled over it.

I have got a spear gun & could possibly shoot them from the kayak with a bit of stalking. They tend to rocket off if you get too close to them. A bow would be a good option too but I think stalking them from the bank would be better than sitting in a kayak. Wefaknis, I was around the Hamilton gardens area ( waikato ) Bender have you caught some on a line? what weight line & how big a fish?  it would be a hell of a scrap wouldn't it ? sounds like fun! fun! fun!

cheers, P.C.

bender, going from the size of the ones I saw & where they were I think 2 kg nylon would last about 2 seconds they really do get big in the river systems now. might have to sneak down to the river this summer & have a shot at them, even if they do bust off it'll be fun.

cheers, P.C.

Peter,

If you want more detailed info, email Mark Kitteridge at Fishing NEws. He's done heaps of koi fishing (in the wild) and may be able to offer better info for the bigger fish. There is a fine line between presenting something they will take (light line) and being able to hang onto the feisty buggers. Theres a definite learning curve but it is fun. Good  luck.

My spears dont fly straight through the air (spearguns must be more accurate under water). This adds some sport to spearing koi carp. I have most success when i manage to get very close to feeding koi, so close that the spear is only about 1 cm from the fish when the trigger is pulled.

Koi carp in duck ponds are accustomed to eating bread and so there's no challenge in getting them to take a bait. Waikato koi dont seem to recognise bait when they see it.

Hi reel deal, I don't think the public that go for nice quite walks around the Hamilton gardens would look to impressed if I was running around taking pot shots at the carp from the bank would be fun though. I don't tend to get too close to many on the kayak as I come splashing up the river, if they see you coming they slowly swim into the deeper water out of sight. the only ones I get close to are when I am in close & come over the weed & surpise them. if you stalked them you could get close enough to take a shot with a bow I'm sure. but catching them on a line would be the ultimate I think. Who did you talk to at Huntly the old man Sweetman or Peter Fletcher? their prices arn't too bad in there either.

cheers, P.C.