Month: March 2022

Biggest Million Dollar Fish Season Wraps Up

Posted on by Isabella Hood

The Territory’s biggest Million Dollar Fish season wraps up today, with 16 anglers from across Australia sharing a record $160,000 of prize money.

Season 7 of the competition also resulted in $17,000 being donated to Million Dollar Fish’s official charity partners. SportsBet underwrites the competition.

While all Season 7 $10,000 barra cease to be valid after today, eight fish carrying a tag worth a million bucks remain active year-round until one is caught. Anglers must be registered for Season 7 by midnight tonight to claim prize money.

In addition, Sportsbet will pay $1,000 to any tagged barramundi caught during next week’s Girls Gone Fishin competition, as well as four other fishing competitions across the Territory.

This season’s Million Dollar Fish tag number has been released, with anglers encouraged to look out for the following code: S7-MDF7399.

The $1 million tag numbers from previous seasons include: S1-MDF1469, S2-MDF2656, S3-MDF3556, S4-MDF4540, S4-MDF4663, S5-MDF5501 and S6-MDF6474.

Charities reel in donations

Cancer Council NT received a cheque for $5,000. The money will go towards the Transport to Treatment program.

Cancer Council NT CEO Tanya Izod said it was great to receive the donation as part of Season 7. “These funds have assisted to fund the fuel needed for our Transport to Treatment program and our nurse led clinics to provide counselling and support for patients,” she said.

Shoreline received a $4,000 donation. This will enable the Territory organisation to continue creating programs to sustainable careers for young Aboriginal Australians.

Shoreline Patron Matthew Hayden AM congratulated all Season 7 winners. “A huge thank you on behalf of the Shoreline Foundation to all winners who generously chose us as their charity,” he said. “The donations will go directly towards maritime training for Top End Indigenous youth.”

The Darwin Star Ball, supporting the Starlight Children’s Foundation, is the beneficiary of an $8,000 donation. This will help Starlight deliver its vital programs to sick kids in the Northern Territory.

Starlight Children’s Foundation CEO Louise Baxter said the team was so grateful to be a part of the extremely successful Million Dollar Fish season.

“Community support is needed now more than ever to help Starlight bring happiness to sick kids,” she said.

Successful Season 7 of Million Dollar Fish

SportsBet External Affairs Manager Brad Fanning said he couldn’t be happier to be giving away cheques to the three charities following an extremely successful season of Million Dollar Fish.

“This is the largest sum of money we’ve ever given away to charities in one season,” he said.

To register before Season 7 closes at 11:59pm on 31 March 2022, visit www.milliondollarfish.com.au.

Yet another fisho catches one of Australia’s Most Wanted!

Posted on by Isabella Hood

Another lucky fisho has found himself $10,000 richer after landing a tagged fish as part of Million Dollar Fish Season 7.

Ngukurr resident Bobby Nunggumajabarr caught his 69cm fishy fugitive at Roper Bar on Friday, 18 March. It was almost 2km from where it was initially tagged at Roper River.

Bobby is the 16th angler to land himself $10,000 after joining the hunt for Australia’s Most Wanted fish. A proud father of two girls, Bobby looks forward to spoiling his family and buying new fishing tackle with his prize money.

“I’ve been registering for Million Dollar Fish for years, and have been fishing everywhere trying to catch a red-tagged barra,” he said.

“I’m so excited to finally get one. It was actually my niece who first saw the tag, and then everyone ran over to check. I couldn’t stop jumping around when I found out!”

Season 7 smashes all records

Season 7 has smashed all records, with the most fish caught and money paid out. There are still six days to go before the end of the season on 31 March 2022. Bobby is one of five fishos who caught their tagged fish in the final month. Anyone who catches a $10,000 fish gets to donate an additional $1,000 to the Million Dollar Fish-affiliated charity of their choice. Bobby chose Shoreline, a Territory organisation that creates programs and pathways to sustainable careers for young Aboriginal Australians.

NT Major Events Company CEO Tim Watsford said it’s been great to see so many fishos joining the hunt for Australia’s Most Wanted fish.

“The results speak for themselves,” he said. “The more you get out there fishing our pristine waterways, the more chances you have of bagging yourself a cash reward for simply enjoying yourself out on the water.”

“Bobby’s catch proves it’s never too late to try, so register before the end of Season 7 to ensure you can claim any winnings if you bag a tagged barra.”

Almost 100 tagged barra waiting to be caught

Million Dollar Fish is Australia’s richest fishing competition. Each year a number of tagged fish released across the Top End’s iconic fishing regions  – Darwin, Katherine, Tiwi Islands, Arnhem Land and Kakadu. Some are worth $10,000, while some carry a reward of a whopping million bucks. SportsBet underwrites the competition.

There are still almost 100 tagged barra waiting to be caught, including eight fish carrying a tag worth a million bucks. That includes the big one from Season 7, plus all the other seasons. The fish carrying tags worth $1 million remain active year-round, until one is caught, but you MUST be registered for Season 7 by 31 March 2022 to claim any prize money. The $10,000 fish cease to be active after the end of this month. Register now at www.milliondollarfish.com.au.

Another Million Dollar Fish ‘Most Wanted’ in the bag!

Posted on by Erin

Jaylene Budd is the latest lucky fisho to land a tagged fish as part of Australia’s richest fishing competition Season 7.

She thought her knife was blunt when she couldn’t slice through the barra she bagged on Sunday. But closer inspection showed the real reason for her struggle – a red tagged barra worth $10,000.

Jaylene, who has been hunting for Australia’s Most Wanted fish for several seasons, is the 15th lucky fisho to land $10,000 from Season 7. She caught her 65cm fish while land-based fishing near the Finnis River boat ramp. While some tagged fish swim many kilometres, this one was hiding out just two kilometres from where it was released.

“I’ve been fishing since I was a kid and out fishing most weekends,” Jaylene said. “I’ve registered for Million Dollar Fish for years, and my husband caught a $10,000 barra in 2017. I caught the fish, and a few others on Sunday, but just threw them all in the freezer without noticing the red tag. I didn’t see it until I took the fish out to fillet it yesterday!”

For every $10,000 fish caught, the angler gets to donate an additional $1000 to the Million Dollar Fish-affiliated charity of their choice. Jaylene chose the Starlight Children’s Foundation Darwin Star Ball, as her young son once spent three months in hospital.

Northern Territory Major Events CEO Tim Watsford said this season has turned out to be the biggest yet, with plenty of keen anglers joining the search for the ones that got away.

“What a season it’s been! That’s 15 fishos with an extra $10,000 in the bank thanks to Million Dollar Fish, the competition that rewards people for doing something they love in one of the most unique places in Australia,” he said. “There are plenty of chances to bag a tagged barra yourself, with almost 100 fishy fugitives still swimming around out there.”

SportsBet underwrites Million Dollar Fish, which is Australia’s richest fishing competition. It sees scores of tagged fish released into the Top End’s five iconic fishing regions – Darwin, Katherine, Kakadu, Arnhem Land and Tiwi Islands.

Season 7 ends on 31 March 2022, but the eight fish carrying tags worth a million bucks remain active year-round. You MUST be registered for Season 7 to claim any cash. Registrations close on 31 March 2022.

 

Queenslander goes home $10,000 richer after bagging a barra in the Territory

Posted on by Isabella Hood

A Queensland angler is counting his lucky stars after reeling in a $10,000 barramundi in the Top End as part of Million Dollar Fish Season 7. Known as Australia’s richest fishing competition, Million Dollar Fish is underwritten by SportsBet.

Guy Gibson from Yeppoon hooked the 57cm barra while on a Dundee fishing charter with a group from around Australia. They had scored themselves a free trip to the Territory after winning a competition.

Australia’s most wanted fish

Guy is one of many fishos who have hit Territory waterways off the back of a new campaign called ‘Australia’s Most Wanted Fish’. It was launched to increase the chances of the Million Dollar Fish being caught.

Earlier this month, anglers were given the clue the Season 7 Million Dollar Fish was last seen in Darwin Harbour wearing a red tag. They have since been hitting the water in droves to track him down.

This was Guy’s first time visiting the Territory. He says he’ll put some of his winnings towards another Top End holiday to try his luck at uncovering the whereabouts of Australia’s Most Wanted Fish. He’ll also invest in some new fishing tackle.

“The dream was to land an elusive barra in the NT, so we were cheering to get one with a red tag in it. I was so excited, I think my legs were shaking for about half an hour after we landed it,” he said.

Everyone comes to the Top End to catch a barra

Emma Cartwright, owner of Dundee-based fishing charter, Anglers Choice Fishing Safaris, was glad the group could finally make it up to Darwin for their fishing trip. They had to delay the holiday several times over the past two years due to COVID restrictions.

“Everyone comes to the Top End to catch a barra, and Guy did just that, but with a red tag in it,” she said.

“They were so impressed at the diversity of fishing at Dundee, finishing the day with not only barramundi in the esky, but golden snapper, jewfish, blue bone and giant trevally.”

With every $10,000 fish caught, the angler has the opportunity to donate an additional $1,000 to a Million Dollar Fish affiliated charity of choice. Guy chose Shoreline, a Territory organisation that creates programs and pathways to sustainable careers for young Aboriginal Australians.

A bumper season for Million Dollar Fish

Northern Territory Major Events Company CEO Tim Watsford said it’s been a bumper season for Million Dollar Fish, with 14 fishos winning cash right across the Territory.

“This has been our biggest season ever, and we hope to see even more anglers cash in before the end of March,” he said.

“We look forward to rolling out the welcome mat to more visitors like Guy and his mates, who travel to the Top End for our incredible tourism experiences and give a welcome boost to local businesses and the wider economy.”

SportsBet External Affairs Manager Brad Fanning said he was thrilled to be awarding another interstate fisho a cheque for $10,000.

“It’s prime time to catch a barra in the Territory at the moment,” he said. “So I’d encourage everyone to register for Australia’s richest fishing competition and hit the water for the chance to find this fishy fugitive and take home a cash reward of $1 million.”

Fresh calls for more anglers

With the Million Dollar Fish still on the swim, authorities have made fresh calls for even more anglers to join search efforts to uncover the whereabouts of the head fishy fugitive. Seven of his scaly relatives also carry cash rewards of $1 million. Around 97 other Season 7 gang members are at large and carry a $10,000 reward.

Season 7 of the Million Dollar Fish competition runs from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022. However, the eight million dollar tags remain active year-round. As soon as one of those eight fish is caught, the remaining seven turn into $10,000 fish that are only valid during the official season.

To claim any prize money from a tagged fish, you must be registered for Season 7 of Million Dollar Fish. This also automatically enters you into the Lucky Prize Pool, which includes fantastic prizes such as a Great Northern Breakaway Trip, Anaconda vouchers, Engel goodies and Shimano Fishing Packs. Registrations close on 31 March 2022. Register for free at www.milliondollarfish.com.au.

Big pay day for Top End fishos

Posted on by Isabella Hood

Two Top End fishos have snagged a $10,000 cash bonus each, after hitting the water in the hope of reeling in Australia’s Most Wanted Fish – the Season 7 Million Dollar Fish.

While they weren’t successful in trapping the lucrative red-tagged runaway worth a million bucks, the fishos managed to locate two of the boss barramundi’s $10,000 accomplices on Sunday.

Josh James of Acacia Hills landed a 90cm fishy suspect while out with family members on Adelaide River. He looks forward to purchasing his kids a couple of motorbikes with his winnings. He will donate his additional $1,000 to the Starlight Children’s Foundation Darwin Star Ball.

“There was a fair bit of cheering and yahooing when we saw the red tag,” he said. “It’s a pretty cool concept, going fishing in the NT and getting cash for free. It’s so easy to sign up to Million Dollar Fish.”

Another Acacia Hills resident, Jarryd Price, also found himself with a red-tagged barra in his esky on Sunday. He was land-based fishing with a friend at Daly River using a handline when he bagged his 64cm suspect. It wasn’t until later on in the day, while cleaning and filleting the fish, that he noticed the red tag covered in algae. Jarryd has opted to give his additional $1,000 to Cancer Council NT.

“I’ve registered for Million Dollar Fish for a few seasons now, but never really thought I’d be lucky enough to get a red-tagged fish,” he said.

Australia’s Most Wanted Fish campaign launched earlier this month

After the ‘Australia’s Most Wanted Fish’ campaign launched earlier this month, fishos have hit Top End waters in droves to track down the Season 7 Million Dollar Fish, who is still on the swim. Authorities have made fresh calls for the community to join in the search and catch the head fishy fugitive, along with seven of his scaly relatives who also carry cash rewards of $1 million. Around 98 other Season 7 gang members remain at large and are worth $10,000.

Tim Watsford, CEO of Northern Territory Major Events Company, organiser of Million Dollar Fish, said search efforts have stepped up a notch with just a few weeks left of Season 7.

“Through Australia’s Most Wanted Fish we are encouraging as many fishos as possible to register, experience our world-class fishing and hopefully bag the Season 7 Million Dollar Fish,” he said.

“There’s plenty of time to get involved, so wet a line in the Top End today for your chance to become a million bucks richer.”

$1 million fish was last seen wearing a red tag in Darwin Harbour

Fishos are reminded the Season 7 $1 million fish was last seen wearing a red tag in Darwin Harbour, and to register their details for free before wetting a line. If you aren’t registered, you cannot claim the cash reward if you land a red-tagged runaway.

‘Australia’s Most Wanted Fish’ is part of the Million Dollar Fish competition, underwritten by SportsBet. The eight fish carrying a $1 million reward can be caught year-round, but you MUST be registered by 31 March 2022 to claim the cash. The $10,000 fish are only active until 31 March 2022, the end of Season 7. Once the first Million Dollar Fish is caught, cash rewards for the remaining seven head fugitives decrease to $10,000 each until the end of March, or become null and void if the Big One is caught between April and September.

Catch Australia’s Most Wanted for $1 Million Reward

Posted on by Erin

A cash reward of $1 million is being offered to the individual who can bring in Australia’s Most Wanted Fish, currently at large in Northern Territory waters.

Part of a barramundi gang widely known as the ‘Million Dollar Fish Red-Tag Crew’, authorities are calling on anglers around the country to help locate the head fishy fugitive, known as the Season 7 Million Dollar Fish. Authorities are also on the hunt for seven of his scaly relatives, who carry cash rewards of $1 million. Around 100 other Season 7 gang members on the swim carry a $10,000 reward.

A campaign dubbed ‘Australia’s Most Wanted’ has been launched to help raise awareness and increase the odds for those on the hunt for the Season 7 Million Dollar Fish. The slippery suspect was last seen in Darwin Harbour wearing a red tag, as reported by key eyewitnesses.

Fishos willing to join the hunt need to register for Million Dollar Fish for free before hitting the water in order to claim their cash reward, should they catch the Ones That Keep Getting Away. Registrations close on 31 March 2022.

The fish hunt is part of the Million Dollar Fish competition, delivered by Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC) and underwritten by SportsBet. NTMEC CEO Tim Watsford said the tagged barramundi have been at large for some time.

“These tagged barra have evaded capture so far, but the fishos are closing in,” Mr Watsford said. “We’ve had 11 $10,000 fish caught as part of Season 7 of the competition, and it’s only a matter of time before one of the Big Ones takes the bait. Any angler keen on bragging rights should have a go at catching Australia’s Most Wanted Fish. And there is no better location to try than the Territory’s pristine waterways.”

SportsBet External Affairs Manager Brad Fanning said the more people get out on the water, the greater their chance of bagging the reward money.

“We’re calling on as many people as possible to join the search by simply registering before the end of March and hitting the water to find this fishy fugitive,” Mr Fanning said. “Eyewitness reports suggest the Season 7 Million Dollar Fish red-tagged runaway may be in the Darwin Harbour region, which is why we are focusing our search efforts on this particular region. Should anyone hook Australia’s most wanted fish, contact us immediately to claim your $1 million cash reward.”

The eight fish carrying a $1 million reward can be caught year-round, but anglers MUST be registered by 31 March 2022 to claim the cash. The $10,000 fish are only active until 31 March 2022, the end of Season 7. Once the first Million Dollar Fish is caught, cash rewards for the remaining seven fugitives decrease to $10,000 each until the end of March, or become null and void if the Big One is caught between April and September.

Register now.