Month: November 2023

Lucky fisho doubles the dough in Season 9

Posted on by Ktima.Heathcote

Season 9 of Australia’s richest fishing competition is heating up, with fisho James McWilliam pocketing himself $20,000 after hooking a Season 9 red-tagged barramundi. Carrying a $10,000 red tag, the fish was worth double the money as part of the popular ‘Double the Dough’ campaign, which ran over the weekend.

James, who luckily called the Million Dollar Fish number to say he caught a red-tagged barra an hour before the Double the Dough initiative finished, reeled in his lucrative 82cm catch at lunchtime on Sunday, 19 November.

A member of Defence, James was on a day fishing trip with mates in Bynoe Harbour near Crab Claw Island Resort.

“They said they’d take me out on a fishing trip as I’d just got a new posting to Sydney, and it’s always been on my bucket list to catch a barra,” he said.

“We weren’t having that much luck and two of my mates were making sandwiches when I snagged the barra. I could tell he was big and my mates coached me as I reeled it in. We didn’t see the red-tag until it was in the boat and we all went crazy. I’m still shaking.”

Million Dollar Fish, supported by SportsBet, sees prize-tagged barramundi released in waterways across the Darwin, Kakadu, Tiwi Islands, Arnhem Land and Katherine regions. This season a fisho is guaranteed to win a million dollars. The season runs from 1 October 2023 until 31 March 2024.

“I’m glad I rang the Million Dollar Fish line”

James, who hails from Victoria, said they didn’t get back to Darwin from their day on the water until late as they decided to continue fishing, and then had to wait for the tide to rise.

“I was about to go to bed when I thought I better ring the Million Dollar Fish line. I’m so glad I did,” said James. “I didn’t realise it was Double the Dough. I’m going to share my winnings with my mates and my mum. I’ll also probably buy myself a new rod and some fishing gear.”

Each time a fisho catches a $10,000 barra, they can donate an extra $1,000 to the Million Dollar Fish charity of their choice. SportsBet doubled the charity money for this fish, and James decided to give the $2,000 to Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Starlight Children’s Foundation Hospital Program Manager NT Jesse Butler said Starlight relies on community support to help the organisation deliver happiness to sick kids in the Territory.

“We’re so grateful to be involved in Million Dollar Fish again this year,” she said. “On behalf of the Darwin Star Ball Committee and Starlight Children’s Foundation we thank James McWilliam for his thoughtful donation.”

Six lucky fishos have now bagged themselves a $10,000 barra since Season 9 began on 1 October 2023. There are still 94 red-tagged $10,000 barra out there, plus the 11 sporting the big million-dollar tags.

To claim any cash from a red-tagged barra, a fisho must be registered for Million Dollar Fish. Registering is free and easy. Anyone who registers automatically goes in the monthly Lucky Prize Pool to win thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes. Click here to register.

Double the Dough back for Season 9 as fifth fish caught!

Posted on by Erin

Pack your tackle box and get ready to hit the water this weekend – Double the Dough is back for Million Dollar Fish Season 9, supported by SportsBet! The return of Double the Dough comes as a fifth $10,000 fish was reeled in on Wednesday by lucky fisho David Anker.

Double the Dough is a favourite among fishos. The initiative means whoever reels in the first $10,000 Season 9 red-tagged barra between 12am on Saturday, 18 November and 11.59pm on Sunday, 19 November 2023 will receive $20,000 instead of $10,000. The fisho MUST be registered for Season 9 and Double the Dough does not apply to the 11 fish carrying tags worth a million bucks.

DAVID REELS IN THE CASH

David, moved to the Territory from New South Wales with his family in January. Fishing on his own at Woods Inlet, he bagged the 85cm barra sporting a red tag. The fish was released at Milne Arm in Bynoe Harbour, a whopping 78km away. David said he was excited to show off his prized catch to his southerner mates about to visit.

“It’s really exciting I almost see it (winning $10,000) as a bonus, I feel like you don’t need a huge amount of incentive most of the time to be fishing up here, because the fishing is amazing but also if you’re not catching fish there’s so much amazing stuff to see. I’ve seen some incredible wildlife out there even when I’m not catching fish,” David said.

“It’s a pretty nice bonus to have $10,000 for catching a fish and it’s actually the biggest barra I’ve caught even without the tag. When I pulled it in I was excited about the fish before I saw the tag and even without the tag it would have been a great day.

“Probably the first thing that went through my head was that it might cover my fuel bills for burning across the harbor all year in an old two stroke.

“I think that’s the other reason why some of my Darwin friends will be particularly excited is because I’m not a great fisherman. I’ve spent so many hours out there not catching fish, but I do love it anyway. This (winning $10,000) does mean that I might break even for a year of fishing.”

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. David chose Shoreline.

DOUBLE THE DOUGH RAISES THE STAKES

SportsBet NT Operations and Partnerships Manager Thijs Bors says SportsBet is thrilled to once again be raising the stakes and offering up $20k to the angler who snags the first $10k barra caught this weekend.

“Remember, there are still 11 million-dollar barra out there in Top End waters. This is the greatest and richest fishing comp in Australia, and we can’t wait to give away the million,” he said.

Five lucky fishos have now bagged themselves a $10,000 barra since Season 9 began on 1 October 2023. There are still 95 red-tagged $10,000 barra out there; plus the 11 sporting the big million-dollar tags. Tagged barra have been released in each of the Top End’s world-class fishing regions including Tiwi Islands, Darwin, Katherine, Kakadu and Arnhem Land.

Fourth red-tagged $10,000 barra reeled in for Season 9

Posted on by Ktima.Heathcote

Darwin resident Beau Cartledge has reeled in the fourth $10,000 red-tagged barra of Million Dollar Fish Season 9.

Beau hooked the 76cm barra while out fishing at Shoal Bay on Friday, 10 November, with his best mate Dean Lucas. Dean was visiting from Western Australia, and the mates will share the windfall.

Supported by SportsBet, Million Dollar Fish sees prize-tagged barramundi released in waterways across the Darwin, Kakadu, Tiwi Islands, Arnhem Land and Katherine regions. This season someone is guaranteed to win a million dollars. The season runs from 1 October 2023 until 31 March 2024.

Keen fishermen Beau and Dean were fishing at Shoal Bay early on Friday morning when Beau reeled in the red-tagged barra. The mates had agreed they’d split the cash if either one of them caught a prize-winning barra.

“Dean and I had spoken about catching the Million Dollar Fish and we were just fishing pretty much,” said Beau. “We’d caught a couple, and we were fishing in an area where there was heaps of fish and we could see signs of good fish.

“We just fished and caught fish, and it was good when the fish hit the deck. We’d both seen the tag at the time, so it was pretty wild.”

“You never think catching a red-tagged barra can happen to you”

Beau has registered for Million Dollar Fish for nine years to catch a red-tagged fish. “You never think it can happen to you,” he said. “It’s always there in the back of your mind, but … you sort of understand that 100 (tagged) barra that people let go compared to how many barra are out there in Darwin waters is unfathomable.”

Beau hasn’t decided what he’ll do with his share. His mate Dean, who hails from Karratha, said he’d love to spend his cash on another trip to the NT with his family.

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. Beau chose Starlight Children’s Foundation Darwin Star Ball.

Star Ball Committee Chairman Justin Coleman said they were so thankful to Beau and all those involved with Season 9. “Starlight provides vital hospital programs in the Northern Territory for our sick kids,” he said.

“Only with the help of the local community can we continue to bring the gift of joy, fun and laughter, helping to create brighter and healthier futures for our kids, families and communities.”

There are now 96 $10,000 barramundi swimming in Territory waterways, plus 11 barra carrying tags worth a million dollars. That includes the two million-dollar barra released for Season 9, and those released for previous seasons. All are still eligible to be caught.

To claim any prize money from a tagged fish, a fisho must be registered for Season 9. This also automatically enters them into the Lucky Prize Pool, which includes thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes up for grabs, such as holiday and flight packages, and fishing and camping gear. Register now for free at www.milliondollarfish.com.au.

 

Kakadu National Park delivers third $10,000 barra for Season 9

Posted on by Erin

A lucky fisho has caught the third $10,000 red-tagged barra of Season 9 in Kakadu National Park.

Loren Hanton was night fishing at stunning Yellow Waters on 31 October. She couldn’t believe it when the 63cm beauty grabbed her lure.

“I’d had no luck on the water, even though my partner had caught four fish, so I was thinking of leaving. Then I pulled in a 70cm barra, which totally changed things!,” Loren said.

“My next catch was the red-tagged barra, and when I saw that red tag I started screaming. I couldn’t believe it. I’ve registered for Million Dollar Fish every season and am a regular fisho born and bred in the Territory.

“I can’t believe I’ve finally caught my own red-tagged barra. I will 100 per cent keep on fishing to try my luck at catching another.”

Underwritten by SportsBet, Million Dollar Fish sees prize-tagged barramundi released in waterways across the Darwin, Kakadu, Tiwi Islands, Arnhem Land and Katherine regions. This season someone is guaranteed to win a million dollars.

Loren, who was fishing with her partner at Kakadu National Park, wasn’t having much luck. She was considering calling it a night when she reeled in a 70cm barra. Filled with renewed enthusiasm, she kept on casting, then landed her $10,000 prize.

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. Loren chose Shoreline. The program began on the Tiwi Islands and provides education and employment opportunities for young Indigenous people.

Shoreline Managing Director Jason Ryan thanked Loren for her donation.

“We are absolutely delighted Loren nominated us as the recipient charity for the recent red-tagged barramundi,” he said. “The donation will go directly towards creating opportunities for young First Nations students in the NT to develop their skills on water and obtain marine certifications.

“We are excited to see more tagged barramundi caught and a lucky fisho snag the million-dollar prize!”

Loren’s catch means there are now 97 $10,000 barramundi still out there, plus 11 barra carrying tags worth a million dollars. That includes the two released for Season 9, and those released for previous seasons. A fisho must register for Season 9 to claim any prize money from a tagged fish. This also automatically enters them into the Lucky Prize Pool, which includes thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes up for grabs, such as holiday and flight packages, and fishing and camping gear. Register now for free.