Month: November 2022

Angler reaps reward from Territory fishing hotspot

Posted on by Erin

The Territory’s Daly River has turned into a Million Dollar Fish drawcard, with another Season 8 $10,000 fish caught there. Lucky fisho Nathan Corpus is the most recent angler to bag a $10,000 red-tagged barra at the Territory fishing hotspot. Two other fishos caught their red-tagged barr at Daly River earlier in the season.

Nathan’s 58cm catch at Daly River on 27 November brings the total number of tagged fish caught in the first two months of this season to 16. This is the same number of fish caught during the whole six months of last season.

More than living up to its reputation as Australia’s richest fishing competition, Million Dollar Fish, underwritten by SportsBet, has now seen fishos walk away with $170,000. One lucky fisho won double the dough, while three Territory charities have shared in $17,000.

Fisho nearly missed season’s must-have accessory – a red tag

A talented fisho out on the river with mates, Nathan saw one of them drop a metrey before a much smaller fish took his own lure. He was so busy trying to flick his catch off so he could chase something bigger that he hardly noticed it was sporting this season’s must-have accessory – a red tag.

“My mate Russell (Hanton) and I were fishing somewhere we wouldn’t normally fish – it was full of snags,” Nathan said. “I cast and hit the bank, got it off, then got a tap and started winding like mad. It wasn’t a big fish, so I was busy trying to get it off my line so I could focus on something bigger. I almost missed the red tag because it was covered in green gunk.

“Russell read the tag and said, ‘I think you’ve got a $10k fish!’. When we caught up with our mates in another boat they asked if we’d caught any dollars – which means a metrey. I said, ‘Yeah, I caught 10,000 dollars!’ I still can’t believe it.”

The winning fisho donates an extra $1,000 to a Million Dollar Fish charity of their choice, every time a $10,000 fish is caught. Nathan chose Shoreline, an organisation that provides career pathways for young indigenous people.

There’s 84 $10,000 fish still waiting to be caught, plus nine fish carrying a tag worth a million bucks. Season 8 runs until 31 March 2023. You must register for Season 8 to claim any prize money from a tagged fish. This also automatically enters you into the Lucky Prize Pool. This includes thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes up for grabs including holiday and flights packages and fishing and camping merchandise and equipment.

Last cast of the day sees local fisho cash in with $10k barra

Posted on by Isabella Hood

A Top End fishing trip with a mate from down south has seen Territorian Colin Carthew win $10,000. He cashed in after reeling in a red-tagged barra on the last cast of the day.

The two fishos wet a line near Talc Head at Woods Inlet on Friday, 25 November. Colin snagged the lucrative 62cm catch as part of Million Dollar Fish Season 8. This was before swiftly making their way back to the Darwin Ski Club boat ramp to beat the tide.

The Darwin-based angler said it was s challenging fishing trip, but well and truly paid off in the end. “The tides weren’t very good but we decided to head out and try our luck. I couldn’t believe it when we got the fish on the last cast – we weren’t sure if it was worth $10,000 or a million,” he said.

“When we got back to the boat ramp at the museum there was no tide, so we had to unhitch the trailer and bounce the tinny over the rocks back onto the trailer, damaging the jockey wheel in the process. It took over an hour, but it was worth it for a red-tagged barra.”

A keen fisho, Colin said he’ll put the money towards purchasing new video camera equipment.

Season 8 prize money biggest in competition’s history

Widely known as Australia’s richest fishing competition, Million Dollar Fish has already seen 15 anglers reel in prize-tagged barramundi as part of Season 8. Competition underwriter SportsBet has paid out a total of $160,000.

The amount of prize money up for grabs as part of Season 8 is the biggest in the history of the competition, with a whopping nine barramundi worth a million dollars now released in five fishing regions – Tiwi Islands, Darwin, Katherine, Kakadu and Arnhem Land. This includes the Season 8 Million Dollar Fish, in addition to those from every other season, which are still eligible to be caught.

Eighty-five Season 8 $10,000 barra are still swimming around Top End waterways. Each time a $10,000 fish is caught, an extra $1,000 is donated to one of the official Million Dollar Fish charities, as nominated by the lucky angler. Colin gave his $1,000 to Cancer Council NT.

Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC) Head of Events and Operations Coryn Huddy said now is an ideal time to visit the Territory. It’s also an opportunity to explore the Top End’s world-class fishing regions for the opportunity to bag a red-tagged barramundi.

“The concept is simple,” he said. “Jump online, register for free and then wet a line for the chance to become a millionaire. Plus, you’ll also go into the monthly Lucky Prize Pool to win epic prizes and experiences from Million Dollar Fish partners,” he said.

Million Dollar Fish Season 8 opened on 1 October 2022 and runs through until 31 March 2023. To be eligible for any prize money, anglers must have registered for Season 8.

For more info and to register, visit www.milliondollarfish.com.au.

WA road trip made 10,000 times better with red-tag barra bonus!

Posted on by Isabella Hood

Lucky fisho Leon Danicic found himself $10,000 better off with a red-tag barra bonus on a WA road trip.

Leon was enjoying a road trip from the Northern Territory to Western Australia with a mate. He was land-based fishing near the Vic River boat ramp when he hooked the 59cm catch. Born and bred in the Territory, Leon has fished for many years across the Top End. He said it was “unbelievable” he’d finally caught himself a red-tagged fish.

“I honestly thought I was hallucinating. I was already stoked about catching a barra, but my excitement had just gone to another level,” he said.

The Darwin-based fisho said he’ll put his winnings towards fuel, food and drinks while on a two-month road trip along the Western Australia coast with his mate Duncan O’Riley.

Last chance to bag a red-tag barra in Season 8

Million Dollar Fish has already seen 14 anglers reel in prize-tagged barramundi as part of Season 8. Competition underwriter SportsBet has paid out a total of $150,000.

The prize purse included in Season 8 is the largest ever, with nine fish worth a million dollars now released in five fishing regions – Tiwi Islands, Darwin, Katherine, Kakadu and Arnhem Land.

This includes the Season 8 Million Dollar Fish, as well as those from every other season, which are still eligible to be caught.

Registered anglers also have the chance to bag one of the remaining 86 $10,000 barra, with 14 caught so far. Every time a fisho catches a $10,000 barra, they can donate an extra $1,000 to the Million Dollar Fish charity of their choice. Leon chose Cancer Council NT.

Million Dollar Fish Season 8 opened on 1 October 2022 and runs through until 31 March 2023. To be eligible for any prize money, anglers must have registered for Season 8. The monthly prize pool includes thousands of dollars’ worth of incredible prizes such as holidays, flights, and fishing and camping equipment. For more info and to register, visit www.milliondollarfish.com.au.

Million Dollar Fish anglers reaping rewards from Daly River

Posted on by Erin

The Daly River has turned into a Million Dollar Fish hotspot, with two more Season 8 $10,000 fish caught there. Kevin North is counting his lucky stars after reeling in a 76cm red-tagged barramundi on 29 October a kilometre from Daly River Crossing, while Jack Daly is enjoying a double celebration after catching his second Season 8 fish at the Crossing. Jack caught his first fish there on 17 October, and his second fish on 2 November.

Mr North has registered for every season of Million Dollar Fish, supported by SportsBet. A keen angler, he was thrilled to finally catch a red-tagged barramundi. He will spend his winnings on a new deep freeze to store more fish in.

Fisho catches two winning fish

Meanwhile, Mr Daly said he couldn’t believe he caught two winning fish. He will spend his winnings on Christmas shopping and more fishing gear.

Each time a $10,000 fish is caught, an additional $1,000 is given to an official Million Dollar Fish charity of the fisho’s choice. Mr North chose the Starlight Children’s Foundation. Mr Daly chose Cancer Council NT.

One hundred $10,000 fish were released for Season 8, and the total number caught at Daly River is now five. The total number caught in the competition so far is 13. This is the biggest season ever, with a massive $140,000 claimed.

Scores of $10,000 fish remain at large across five Top End fishing regions, including Darwin, Tiwi Islands, Kakadu, Arnhem Land and Katherine. This includes nine barra worth a cool $1 million.

To claim any prize money, or be in with a chance of scoring prizes from the Lucky Prize Pool, anglers must register for Season 8. Register for free at www.milliondollarfish.com.au.

Another day, another red-tagged Million Dollar Fish in the bag!

Posted on by Isabella Hood

Australia’s richest fishing competition is in for a record-breaking season, with another $10,000 fish caught as part of Million Dollar Fish Season 8 over the weekend.

A total of 11 red-tagged barramundi have been recaptured across the Top End with fishos sharing in a whopping $120,000 of prize money from competition underwriter SportsBet.

Territorian Yo Thu Yar is the latest fisho to find himself $10,000 richer. He reeled in his 55cm prize-tagged barramundi land-based fishing at Daly River Crossing. Mr Yar’s fish is the third red-tagged barramundi to have been caught at the Daly River Crossing this season. The keen angler said he plans to share most of his prize money with his grandmother.

Mr Yar said he’s been fishing for years and has caught lots of barra.

“I’ve fished at Daly River Crossing plenty of times and could not believe it when I pulled the fish out and saw the red tag.

“I’ve registered for every season of Million Dollar Fish, so it was great to finally catch one.

Fishos to nominate charity of choice

Each time a $10,000 fish is caught, an additional $1,000 is given to an official Million Dollar Fish charity of the fisho’s choice. Mr Yar chose Shoreline, an organisation that provides education and employment opportunities to Indigenous students.

Shoreline Managing Director Jason Ryan said he was delighted that Shoreline was nominated as the charity of choice for the $1,000 donation.

“The donation will go directly towards creating opportunities for young Indigenous students to develop their skills and obtain marine certifications to become fishing guides,” he said.

There is still plenty of time to register for Million Dollar Fish and hook a red-tagged barramundi. Season 8 runs until 31 March 2023. Registered anglers can win up to $1 million in prize money, with 89 $10,000 barra still swimming around Top End waterways. In addition there are nine fish worth a million bucks. This includes the Season 8 Million Dollar Fish, plus the other big ones from previous seasons, which are still eligible to be caught. Each season, red-tagged barramundi are released in five main fishing regions across the Top End including Tiwi Islands, Darwin, Kakadu, Arnhem Land and Katherine.

Registrations is free, and allows anyone over the age of 18 to claim prize money from a red-tagged fish. Registered participants also go into the monthly Lucky Prize Pool to win fantastic prizes. These include holiday packages, fishing equipment, gift vouchers, camping gear and much more. For more info, visit www.milliondollarfish.com.au.