Million Dollar Fish is off to the biggest start ever with 14 $10,000 red-tagged barramundi now reeled in this October, marking the biggest month ever for the competition. This latest catch surpasses Season 8, when 13 fish were caught in October.
The 14th fish travelled an impressive 90km from Bynoe Harbour to Buffalo Creek, where it was reeled in by Territorian Alan Carter on Sunday, 28 October around 10am.
The 58cm red-tagged fish was a welcome surprise for Alan who was out for an early morning fish with some mates. The fish has affectionally been named Bert Big Bills as it’s delivered the rural resident a winning $10,000 catch.
“We left about four in the morning, went down (to Buffalo Creek) for the turn of the tide. (I’ve) fished there quite regularly, just sort of going on a Sunday, something to do, and along came Bert and sacrificed himself. I was nearly going to let the poor bugger go and then I thought, ‘no, it’s a current tag’, so I kept it and put it on ice,” Alan said.
Fishos are encouraged to head out to Top End waters and wet their lines as Australia’s richest fishing competition continues to deliver winning catches.
There are now 85 red-tagged $10,000 fish and 10 fish with a million-dollar tag for Season 10. Each season the competition sees red-tagged barramundi released in Darwin, Katherine, Arnhem Land, Kakadu and Tiwi Islands waterways.
Sportsbet NT Operations and Partnerships Manager Thijs Bors said: “Sportsbet is delighted to see yet another $10,000 barra reeled in by another devoted fisho. Million Dollar Fish continues to deliver and we look forward to seeing more lucky fishos win big, so register, get out there and cast a line.”
As the official charity partner, Cancer Council NT receives $1000 for every $10,000 tagged fish caught, bringing the total contribution to the charity to $14,000 so far. A total of $154,000 has been paid out since Season 10 began on 1 October.
A local fisherman has struck gold yet again, reeling in his third $10,000 fish in Australis’s richest fishing competition. This remarkable catch adds to his impressive tally and solidifies his reputation as one of the leading winning anglers over the ten years of Million Dollar Fish competition.
While fishing at Browns Fish for a bit late on Monday, October 21, George Voukolus found the experience average and considered heading to the crossing. Instead, he stopped at Bamboo to check it out. At 8:45pm, after an hour of fishing there, he landed a 68cm red-tagged fish worth $10,000.
While fishing from the bank, he hooked his fish using a fizzer and instantly recognised it as a barra when it jumped three or four times before landing in the mud. After pushing it back into the water to rinse off the mud, he spotted the red tag and quickly dragged it back to the bank.
George is delighted to be up on the leaderboard of Million Dollar Fish.
“Happy as Chappy, this is the second one from Bamboo. I’ve been doing it all my life now, 54 years fishing for barra, born and bred here I love it.
“Three now so this is good.”
The local Territorian has claimed three $10,000 prizes in the Million Dollar Fish competition, having reeled in six fish in total, three of which were eligible for the cash prizes, while the other three were out of season.
The Daly River has proven to be George’s lucky fishing grounds, with all his winning barramundi caught just 140 km south of Darwin. His success began in Season 2 when he landed his first red-tagged $10,000 fish—a 64 cm barra. He followed that up in Season 3 with another victory, reeling in a 70 cm barra as his second winning catch.
SportsBet NT Operations and Partnerships Manager Thijs Bors is excited to see lucky 13 reeled in.
“Congratulations to George on winning another $10,00, this is his third time reeling in a red-tagged 10k fish over ten seasons. So, he is on to something.
“We’re still less than a month into Season 10 and records are starting to fall. We can’t wait to see who is next and how big their barra is, a lot is happening with Australia’s richest fishing competition.”
There are now 86 red-tagged $10,000 fish and 10 fish with a million-dollar tag for Season 10. Each season the competition sees red-tagged barramundi released in Darwin, Katherine, Arnhem Land, Kakadu and Tiwi Islands waterways.
As the official charity partner, Cancer Council NT receives $1000 for every $10,000 tagged fish caught, bringing the total contribution to the charity to $13,000 so far. A total of $143,000 has been paid out since the launch of Season 10, marking a promising start to the season.
Million Dollar Fish Season 10 runs until 31 March 2025. Delivered by Northern Territory Major Events Company and supported by Sportsbet the competition is open to people aged over 18, with free registration. Simply by registering you are entered into the monthly prize draw valued at $79,000.
A late-night fishing trip at Yellow Waters has delivered the catch of a lifetime for Darwin resident Alastair Lau. Unbelievably, this is the third red-tagged barra he’s reeled in, but the first one where he can claim the cash.
Fishing with his partner Bronwyn Loud and their 8-month-old daughter, Alastair in the early hours of Saturday 19 October reeled in his 86cm $10,000 red-tagged fish. Upon flipping it over he saw the hint of red underneath an algae covered tag, that he initially thought was reeds stuck to the fish.
Alastair was stoked to finally catch a prize-winning barra.
“It’s always been a bit of a thing to go out and have a bit of a go for the mighty Million Dollar Fish, and it’s actually happened this this year,” he said.
“Third time’s a charm, don’t throw it back, and on time. Nothing goes off the brag mat or even starts to shift towards the side of the boat until it’s been thoroughly combed over for a tag.”
With a four-day trip planned, the young family opted to stay out at Yellow Waters to continue fishing in the hope they’d reel in another prize-winning catch.
A fan of the competition since it began a decade ago, this is the third red-tagged barra Alastair says he’s caught. Years ago, fishing on the East Alligator River, when releasing a barra he saw a red tag on the fish as it rolled over and swam away. Then 2020 fishing the Finniss River, Alastair hooked a red-tagged barra and called it in, only to be told it was August and therefore out of season.
SportsBet NT Operations and Partnerships Manager Thijs Bors congratulates Alastair as the twelfth lucky fisho to reel in a $10,000 red-tagged fish. He’s looking forward to see more fish wins for fishos.
“We’re less than a month into Season 10 and it’s already been one for the memory books. We can’t wait to see more lucky fishos win big in Australia’s richest fishing competition.”
There are now 87 red-tagged $10,000 fish and 10 fish with a million-dollar tag for Season 10. Each season the competition sees red-tagged barramundi released in Darwin, Katherine, Arnhem Land, Kakadu and Tiwi Islands waterways.
As the official charity partner, Cancer Council NT receives $1000 for every $10,000 tagged fish caught, bringing the total contribution to the charity to $12,000 so far.
Cancer Council CEO Tanya Izod is very grateful to be the official charity partner and be a part of every winning fishos excitement.
“Twelve red-tagged barra caught! Cancer Council NT is so grateful to be the official charity partner and that we get to be part of this incredibly exciting start to Season 10,” said Tanya.
“Every fish caught means we can continue to support Territorians impacted by cancer and so we hope to see this fantastic winning streak continue.”
A total of $122,000 has been paid out since the launch of Season 10, marking a promising start to the season.
Million Dollar Fish Season 10 runs until 31 March 2025. Delivered by Northern Territory Major Events Company and supported by Sportsbet the competition is open to people aged over 18, with free registration. Simply by registering you are entered into the monthly prize draw valued at $79,000.
Million Dollar Fish has gone off with another winning barramundi caught. There is yet to be a week without a fish caught. Charter operator Lincoln Kirby reeled in the eleventh $10,000 red-tagged barramundi for Season 10 on Wednesday 16 October.
Lincoln took his daughter on a much-promised barra fishing session to chase red-tags at Freshwater Finnis River, and they found what they were looking for. He was trawling for red-tagged barramundi across the freshwater section of the river, when he reeled in the 69cm Season 10 fish at 8.30pm.
“I couldn’t believe it. We were turning the boat around, and as I was winding the lure back to the boat, the barra grabbed my lure next to the boat,” he said.
They had finally caught a red-tagged barramundi after 10 years of registering and fishing in the competition.
“My guide who was with us at the time netted it, and we didn’t see the red tag until the barra was on the floor of the boat – that’s when it all went off and we started yelling and screaming.”
With his latest catch, Lincoln, an experienced fishing guide and charter company owner, can now tell his interstate clients they can also cash in by registering and wetting a line.
SportsBet NT Operations and Partnerships Manager Thijs Bors said Season 10 has gone off and encourages fishos to get out there.
“This Season has been spectacular for the fishos – eleven $10k fish before the end of week three.”
“It’s prime time for barra fishing at the moment, so I’d encourage as many people as possible to register for Australia’s richest fishing competition and explore our world-class fishing regions for the chance to score a million bucks!”
Lincoln is the 11th lucky fisho to win this season in just over two weeks of the competition. There are now 88 barramundi with $10,000 tags and 10 fish with tags worth one million dollars waiting to be caught.
Each season the competition sees red-tagged fish released in Darwin, Katherine, Arnhem Land, Kakadu and Tiwi Islands waterways.
As the official charity partner, Cancer Council NT receives $1000 for every $10,000 tagged fish caught, bringing the total contribution to the charity to $11,000 so far.
A combined total of $121,000 has been paid out to winning fishos and Cancer Council NT since the launch of Season 10, marking a promising start to the season.
Million Dollar Fish Season 10 runs until 31 March 2025. Delivered by Northern Territory Major Events Company and supported by Sportsbet the competition is open to people aged over 18, with free registration. Simply by registering you are entered into the monthly prize draws valued at $79,000.
Darwin resident Mark Parkinson has snagged the tenth $10,000 red-tagged barramundi for Season 10. The lucky angler reeled in a fish released by Minister for Major Events Marie-Clare Boothby on September 30.
Fishing at Dinah Beach Boat Ramp in the hope to catch a fish to cook up, Mark got more than he bargained for when he reeled in the 70cm barra around 8.30pm on Tuesday 8 October. The barra was released by Minster Boothby at the same location a week earlier for the launch of Season 10.
“Unlucky fish and lucky me. I just went to Dinah Beach after work,” he said.
“I heard a bit of bait movement and what sounded like boof so I went around there, and fourth cast (I hooked it).”
Mark’s catch is the 10th fish to be caught in just over a week. It follows what has been a huge Season 10 opening week for $10,000 winning catches. There are now 89 barramundi with $10,000 tags and 10 fish with a tag worth one million dollars.
Each season the competition sees about a hundred red-tagged fish released in Darwin, Katherine, Arnhem Land, Kakadu and Tiwi Islands waterways.
As the official charity partner, Cancer Council NT receives $1000 for every $10,000 tagged fish caught, bringing the total contribution to the charity to $10,000 so far.
Sportsbet NT Operations and Partnerships Manager Thijs Bors said: “Sportsbet is thrilled to see another $10,000 red-tagged fish caught”.
“It’s been an incredibly exciting time to be a part of the competition. With just a week of the competition down Sportsbet can’t wait to see more lucky fishos win big in Australia’s richest fishing competition.”
Million Dollar Fish Season 10 runs until 31 March 2025. Delivered by Northern Territory Major Events Company and supported by Sportsbet the competition is open to people aged over 18, with free registration. Simply by registering you are entered into the monthly prize draws valued at $79,000. Register for free at www.milliondollarfish.com.au.
Million Dollar Fish Season 10 is off to a thrilling start, with anglers catching nine red-tagged barramundi in the first week — surpassing the previous record of five from Season 6 and matching the total number of fish caught in the whole of Season 9. Season 10 is shaping up to be one for the history books!
The whopping nine $10,000 tagged barra have been caught throughout the Top End, from Daly River and East Alligator River to Corroboree Billabong and McArthur River Crossing, Borroloola. The excited fishers are all locals from the Territory, including former winner Yo Thu Yar. He caught a massive 90cm barramundi on 3 October, at the same Daly River Crossing spot where he landed his $10,000 barra during Season 8.
Daly River Crossing has proven to be a goldmine for Season 10 winning catches with Antonios Mougros, De Lusy and Theofilis Vrondos each reeling in their prize-winning catch from the river system.
The shocked lucky winners are excited to put their prizemoney to good use. Some will donate part of their winnings while others plan to pay off debts and upgrade their cars, and fishing gear. So
far in Season 10, fishers have won $90,000 and $9,000 has been donated to our official charity partner, Cancer Council NT.
MDF S10 winner Antonios Mougros
Antonios Mougros, who reeled in his 84cm catch on 2 October at Daly River Crossing, plans to split half his winnings with his best mate who was fishing beside him when he caught the barra.
Noah Faull, hooked his 70cm barra after several hours fishing on the East Alligator River with a work mate. After flicking fizzers the barra took the bite and put on a show, jumping into the air, before Noah bagged the catch. Noah was over the moon after learning he’d won $10,000 and hopes to do up his car and go on his first overseas holiday.
“It (the barra) was having a few jumps out of the water, it
was sick as, it put up a good little fight,” Noah said.
“I’m going to pay off my (car) loan, put it into my Hilux and get a little hunting rig up and going. I’ll be sorted, no more debt. I’ve got Bali coming up too, it’s my first time going overseas, I’m keen as.”
MDF S10 Noah Faull
“Just get out there have a crack, you can’t catch fish if you haven’t a got a line in the water. You gotta be in it to win it.”
Lydia Hebb hooked her red-tagged fish at Corroboree Billabong at 11.30pm, Saturday 5 October. Hitting the water as preparation for a fishing competition she got more than she bargained for after the 66cm fish took the lure. She hopes to spend a bit of the winnings on fishing and boating gear, support herself as she does a university placement and put some into savings.
“It was pretty good fishing. There were a few fish that we saw coming through on the sounder, and Lachie (her partner) had caught a few fish,” Lydia said.
MDF Season 10 $10,00 winner De Lusy
“I saw one come through, just flicked at it, and somehow landed straight in front of its nose, and it just boofed it straight away. It was a good fight, and it jumped right at the boat and we saw the tag in the light, ‘I was like, Lachie quickly net this fish’.”
Jaida Anderson, reeled in her 72cm fish at McArthur River Crossing, Borroloola on 3 October. Due to her remote location, her tag was flown to Darwin on an Airnorth plane to be verified.
“We were late night fishing and we just reeled in a barra and we didn’t know it had a tag, then was saw it, and then got all excited,” Jaida said.
“That was just a lucky night for us.”
There are still 90 barramundi with $10,000 tags. There are also 10 fish carrying a tag worth a million bucks – made up of nine fish from Season 9 and one from Season 10.
Sportsbet NT Operations and Partnerships Manager Thijs Bors said:“Sportsbet is thrilled to see the first week catch record broken with so many winners bagging a $10,000 tagged barra.”
“It’s crazy to see how strong the competition has started with $90,000 paid to winners and $9000 donated to official charity partner Cancer Council NT in just seven days.”
“Cancer Council NT benefits from every fish caught throughout Season 10 and means we can continue our lifesaving work in the Territory and educating Territorians on the importance of being SunSmart.”
Season 10 of the Million Dollar Fish competition runs from 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025. To claim any prize money from a tagged fish, you must be registered for Season 10 of Million Dollar Fish. This also automatically enters you into the monthly giveaway draw. Register now for free.
Only days after the Million Dollar Fish Season 10 (MDF S10) competition opened, two lucky fishos have reeled in a little more than just a barramundi.
Long-time Darwin locals Bing Quan Mo, also known as Ken, and Theo Vrondos have both caught a $10,000 dollar red-tagged barramundi in the first two days of Australia’s richest fishing competition.
There are still 97 barramundi waiting to be caught for eager fishos, as well as 10 fish carrying a tag worth a million bucks.
Ken is officially the first winner of MDF S10 after he caught his lucky barra on the first day of the competition 1 October, after a dedicated evening of catching live bait and fishing at Buffalo Creek boat ramp.
He was at first slightly disappointed, because it was only a small 61cm fish as he had not seen the red tag. When he was about to clean the fish at home, he spotted the tag and called his daughter.
Bao Mo received a call at 8pm from her dad, excited that he had caught a red-tagged barramundi on the day the competition opened.
“When my dad called, I didn’t believe him. I told him to send a photo to me first,” she said.
“He sent me a photo, but it was very blurry, so I came over and I said, ‘are you sure?’.”
Ken has been fishing all his life and reeling in fish in Territory waters for over 20 years.
On the second day of competition, 2 October, Theo reeled in the most valuable fish he’s ever caught at 4.15pm at Daly River, less than a day after having signed up to Million Dollar Fish Season 10.
Theo is not usually a barra fisho but was convinced by his brother-in-law to sign up and try his luck.
Theo was stubbornly trying to catch some live bait before his brother-in-law pushed him to use a lure and cast a line. He took the small lure, and after a few casts, he caught a 76cm red-tagged barramundi.
Both Ken and Theo plan to take an overseas family trip. Ken is excited to be able to visit his 90-year old mother back home in China, while Theo is excited to take his wife and boys on a holiday.
Northern Territory Major Events Company Acting CEO Trevor Cox is very delighted the Million Dollar Fish competition has begun with two lucky fishos.
“I’m delighted to see two of the $10,000 prizes go off and I’d like to offer my congratulations to Theo and Ken,” he said.
“We are lucky to have some of the country’s best fishing right here in our backyard, and we’re likely to see plenty more fishos hook onto red-tagged barra throughout Season 10 of this iconic competition.”
Sportsbet NT Operations and Partnerships Manager Thijs Bors is also thrilled to see the double win just days after the competition opened.
“Sportsbet is thrilled to be awarding the first two lucky fishos of Season 10 a cheque for $10,000 each,” he said.
“The season is off to an amazing start, and we look forward to seeing more red-tagged barra caught in Territory waters.”
Season 10 of the Million Dollar Fish competition runs from 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025. To claim any prize money from a tagged fish, you must be registered for Season 10 of Million Dollar Fish. This also automatically enters you into the monthly giveaway draw. Register now for free at www.milliondollarfish.com.au.
