Month: November 2020

Q&A with AFLW legend Abbey Holmes

Posted on by Isabella Hood

You might have seen her on TV or kicking goals on the footy field, but did you know Abbey Holmes loves getting out on the water to wet a line? We caught up with her recently to talk all things fishing.

AFLW legend Abbey Holmes holds up a barramundi

When did you first start fishing?

I have been fishing for as long as I can remember!

My Dad is a mad fisherman so as a young girl, I never really had a chance haha (not that I’m complaining!). We have family over in the West Coast of South Australia who are full time fishermen, so I have always loved getting over there, spending days on end on the water and visiting some of the beautiful islands in that region.

Where’s your go-to spot to fish in the Territory?

Ohhh there are SO many incredible spots to pick from (we are very spoiled in the Top End!) but for me, we have had some very good days on the water off Dundee Beach, and the Finniss River.

What’s the biggest barra you’ve ever caught?

I AM STILL CHASING MY METERY! The biggest barra I have caught was 88cm at the Finniss. I will not stop until I crack that metre (or catch the Million Dollar Barra! Haha)

Where is your favourite fishing destination in the world?

Once again, it’s so hard to just say one, but I would say the Tiwi Islands, NT and Smoky Bay, SA!

What’s your best fishing hack?

No wobble, no gobble!

Why wetting a line in the Wet is a good idea

Posted on by Isabella Hood

A La Niña was recently declared by the Bureau of Meteorology signalling above-average rainfall for Northern Australia, bringing cooler and cloudier days, more tropical cyclones and an early onset of the Wet Season across the North.

This is great news for fishers as barramundi numbers are directly affected by the amount of rainfall a river catchment receives in a Wet Season.

In a high rainfall year when conditions are good for barramundi (that is, extended access to flood plains and lots of food), they grow faster and reproduction is boosted. Ultimately more rain equals more food, which equals more barramundi.

The Northern Territory has just gone through a two year period of lower than average rainfall and with it lower productivity of our barramundi population.

While fishers may be champing at the bit to have a go at the improved barramundi stocks, they should remember to fish sustainably. This means knowing your possession limits and only taking what you need for a feed.

To find out more, head to www.nt.gov.au/marine.

Fisho fights off croc for red-tagged barra

Posted on by Isabella Hood

Humpty Doo’s Brian Ahrens is the latest lucky fisho to bag a $10,000 barra, after going head to head with a croc for the red tag on Friday morning.

Within half an hour of launching his boat at Bridge Lagoon, the local man was reeling in a 68cm barra with a 2m saltwater croc in hot pursuit.

With no one else to help him net the prized catch or distract the hungry salty, Mr Ahrens said he was lucky to get the barra in the boat in one piece.

“A croc seemed very interested in him and had a bit of a go at the fish. As I wound him in I saw the croc on the surface chasing it,” he said.

“I was so excited when I saw the red tag, but trying to land it by myself was a bit of a challenge – I was glad to eventually get it in the boat!”

The long-time Territorian said the $10,000 would be useful to help pay off his mortgage.

Northern Territory Major Events Company CEO Tim Watsford said he couldn’t be happier with how successful Million Dollar Fish Season 6 has been so far, with seven fishos catching prize-tagged barramundi in just the first month of the competition.

“I’d like to congratulate Humpty Doo local Brian Ahrens on reeling in his prized catch all while competing with one of Bridge Lagoon’s hungry salties,” he said.

SportsBet External Affairs Manager Brad Fanning said this is the biggest and best season of Million Dollar Fish so far.

“Australia’s richest fishing competition keeps getting better and better each year, so get out there and wet a line for the chance to become a millionaire,” he said.

Million Dollar Fish Season 6 only launched a month ago, and already seven tagged fish have been caught.

A total of $75,000 in prize money has been won by registered participants across the Territory and Australia.

There are still five months to go as part of Million Dollar Fish Season 6, with 94 $10,000 barra remaining in the competition.

In addition, there are seven $1 million barra (if the $1 million fish is caught, the remaining six turn into $10,000 fish) and four Double-Tagged Barra worth $10,000 to the lucky fisho and $5,000 to their mate.

There are also 20 $5,000 charity fish yet to be caught, which will see $2,500 awarded to the angler and $2,500 to the winner’s Million Dollar Fish affiliated charity of choice.

Registered participants of Million Dollar Fish also go in the Lucky Prize Pool, with thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes to be won each month.To register for the chance to become a millionaire, go to www.milliondollarfish.com.au.