Author: Nicole Amelsvoort

Season 10 of Million Dollar Fish was off-the-scale!

Posted on by Nicole Amelsvoort

Season 10 of Australia’s richest fishing competition, Million Dollar Fish, has wrapped up in spectacular style, with 17 lucky anglers reeling in a combined $210,000 in red-tagged barramundi across the Northern Territory.

While Season 10 has ended, fishos shouldn’t pack up their gear just yet. Ten barramundi carrying the $1 million tag will remain active during the off-season, from 1 April 2025 to 30 September 2025. To claim the million-dollar prize, anglers must have been registered for Season 10. Once a million-dollar fish is caught, the remaining nine will become inactive.

The action kicked off at a blistering pace, with nine $10,000 barra landed in just the first week, matching the entire tally of Season 9 in just a few days. By the end of the first month, that number had jumped to 14, making it the hottest start in the competition’s history.

Local fishing legend George Voukolos has cemented his status in Million Dollar Fish folklore by hooking his third $10,000 barramundi in ten seasons. His total winnings now stand at an impressive $30,000, with all the prize-winning fish caught in the Daly River — the gift that just keeps giving! His streak began in Season 2 with a 64cm, $10,000 barra, followed by a 70cm prize catch in Season 3.

The excitement ramped up again when Palmerston fisherman Kin (Akim) Lay reeled in the first tagged fish of 2025—a 72cm red-tagged beauty at Bridge Billabong, Mary River. As the only fish caught during the Size Matters campaign, which awarded $40,000 to the biggest $10,000 fish in February, Akim walked away with a whopping $50,000 payday.

Million Dollar Fish, backed by major partner Sportsbet, wasn’t just about big catches this season; it was also about big-hearted giving. Thanks to the competition, Cancer Council NT received a generous $21,000 donation, with $1,000 contributed for every $10,000 fish caught, plus an extra $4,000 for the Size Matters Campaign.

Season 10 was record-breaking with more than 62,000 registrations, with interstate anglers making up 57% of entries. Fishos from Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, and the ACT doubled their registrations, all hoping to hook the next million-dollar barra.

Sportsbet Head of NT Operations Thijs Bors was excited to see another record season of Million Dollar Fish.

“Sportsbet is delighted to see another successful season of Million Dollar Fish wrap up with 17 lucky winners,” he said.

With over $2 million in prize money awarded since Million Dollar Fish began in 2015, Season 10 set another record with its monthly prize draws, offering a total prize pool valued at $79,000. The grand prize was a Stacer 429 Outlaw SC boat, valued at $35,000.

The countdown to Season 11 is officially on. Season 11 will start on 1 October 2025.

 

Bigger Barra, Bigger Bucks – Size matters in February’s Million Dollar Fish

Posted on by Nicole Amelsvoort

Million Dollar Fish is making waves this February with an exciting new twist for Season 10. The angler who lands the biggest Season 10 tagged $10,000 fish during the month will reel in an extra $40,000, taking home a total of $50,000.

Throughout February, each red-tagged $10,000 fish caught will be added to the leaderboard, with the largest fish of the month securing the bonus cash. That’s $10,000 for the catch and an extra $40,000 for the biggest catch. If two or more Season 10 fish of equal size are caught, the prize will be shared equally. The winner will be announced on 1 March 2025.

Season 10 kicked off with a bang, setting a record for the competition. In its first month, 14 $10,000 red-tagged barramundi were caught, marking the most successful start in the competition’s history.

With 83 more $10,000 red-tagged barramundi still waiting to be caught, along with 10 one-million-dollar tagged fish, there’s no better time to hit the water. Once one of the million-dollar fish – which are not eligible for Size Matters campaign- is caught, all remaining million-dollar tags revert to $10,000.

Anglers can take to the water across Arnhem Land, Darwin, Kakadu, Katherine, and the Tiwi Islands this February, knowing that every $10,000 red-tagged fish reeled in guarantees a chance to make it onto the leaderboard, as size could mean an extra $40,000.

To help anglers narrow their chase, Million Dollar Fish has – for the first time – released a top 10 list of the biggest winning catches from the past decade, revealing some of the prime fishing hotspots that might yield a whopper.

The list (in full below) reveals Manton, around 70kms from Darwin, as a prime location for massive catches. Three of the top 10 biggest winning fish were snagged at Manton River and Manton Creek, including the biggest ever red-tagged barra, a 105cm giant caught at Manton Dam by Kai Hale in Season 8.

Another heavy hitter is the Daly River, which has produced three of the top 10 biggest winning catches, including fish caught at Daly River Crossing and Daly River Mango Farm. The Daly River is also home to five of the top 20 biggest red-tagged barra caught in Million Dollar Fish history.

Northern Territory Major Events Company, Interim CEO Trevor Cox, said “Million Dollar Fish Season 10 began with a record-breaking first month and now the exciting ‘Size Matters’ bonus adds even more thrill for anglers.

“With new opportunities to win big this February, there’s no better time to grab a rod, sign up, and head out with your mates for the chance to catch the fish of a lifetime”.

Sportsbet NT Operations and Partnerships Manager Thijs Bors, added, “We’re thrilled to continue supporting Million Dollar Fish Season 10. This competition brings excitement, community spirit, and big wins – and the added prize opportunities this February make it even more exciting for everyone involved.”

As the official charity partner, Cancer Council NT receives $1,000 for every $10,000 tagged fish caught. Cancer Council will receive an extra $4,000 off the back of the largest catch in February. So far, $16,000 has been raised for the charity, with a total of $176,000 in prize money awarded to anglers and donations since the season began on 1 October 2024.

Million Dollar Fish Season 10 runs until 31 March 2025. To claim any prize money, anglers must be registered for the competition. Delivered by Northern Territory Major Events Company and supported by Sportsbet, the competition is open to anyone aged 18 and over, with free registration. By signing up, anglers will also be entered into the monthly prize draw, with a total prize pool value of $79,000 for the season. Register now to get in on the action at: milliondollarfish.com.au/register

Top 10 Largest Winning Catches in Million Dollar Fish History

1. 105cm red-tagged barra. Caught by Kai Hale at Manton Dam on 11 March 2023 in Season 8.

2. 98cm red-tagged barra. Caught by Ryan Curtis at Mary River on 4 October 2020 in Season 6.

3. 90cm red-tagged barra. Caught by Josh James at Adelaide River on 6 March 2022 in Season 7.

3. 90cm red-tagged barra, Caught by Yo Thu Yar at Daly River Crossing on 3 October in Season 10.

3. 90cm red-tagged barra, Caught by Asman Rory at Borroloola on 30 March 2023 in Season 8.

3. 90cm red-tagged barra. Caught by Sharna Brennan at Manton Dam on 6 October 2022 in Season 8.

7. 89cm red-tagged barra. Caught by Darryl McLeod at Daly River Crossing on 19 November 2021 in Season 7.

8. 87cm red-tagged barra. Caught by Jethro Kahler at Manton Creek on 9 March 2020 in Season 5.

9/10. 86cm red-tagged barra. Caught by Mark Iseppi at Daly River Mango Farm on 26 January 2019 in Season 4.

9/10. 86cm red-tagged barra. Caught by Alastair Lau at Yellow Water on 18 October 2024 in Season 10.

Million Dollar Dish – Crispy Skin Barramundi

Posted on by Nicole Amelsvoort

Barramundi with green beans, thyme mash and beurre noisette – serves 4

 

Reeled in a whopper but don’t know what to do with it? Our mates at Wharf One at Darwin Waterfront gave us the inside word on their famed crispy skin barramundi.

 

INGREDIENTS:

4 x 180g saltwater barramundi fillets, skin on, scaled and deboned
1kg desire potatoes
200g unsalted butter cut into 1cm dice, plus extra for basting
200ml cream
2 tbsp salted baby capers
300g green beans, stalks removed
Juice of 2 lemons
50g chopped parsley
5 cloves garlic
20g thyme
Sea salt flakes
Black pepper
Olive oil for cooking

METHOD:

1. Bake potatoes at 180 degrees Celsius in a fan oven in their skins until very soft in the centre. While the potatoes are cooking, place the cream, thyme and garlic in a small pot and slowly bring to the boil. When it boils, remove from the heat and set aside. When the potatoes are cooked, cut them in half while still hot and scoop out the centre then mash the potato. Boil the cream and remove the theme, then add the cream to the potato then add 100g of the butter and beat with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until smooth. Season with sea salt and black pepper. Keep hot while you cook the fish.

2. Boil a pot of salted water. Blanch the beans for 1-2 minutes and then remove them and place straight into ice water. This stops the cooking. Drain the beans and reserve for later.
3. Season the barramundi with sea salt and pepper. In a medium hot pan, place a good splash of olive oil then add the barramundi fillets skin side down and allow to colour. If the skin curls, gently press down on it until all the skin is in contact with the pan. When a golden brown colour is reached, turn down the heat to low and keep cooking for 4-7 minutes until the fish is changing colour to white on the sides of the fillet. Turn fish over. Add the beans and turn up the heat and add some diced butter and cook for a further minute. The butter should be foaming. If it isn’t, turn up the heat more but don’t burn it. Baste the skin of the fish with the foaming butter, remove the fish and beans from the pan and place on a paper towel to soak the excess butter.

4. For the beurre noisette, heat a pan to medium hot. Add 100g diced butter, allow to foam and turn brown. This doesn’t take very long so watch it and be careful not to burn it. When the butter is brown, carefully add the capers as it may spit hot butter out of the pan. Cook for 30 seconds then add the lemon juice, cook for 30 more seconds and add the parsley. Remove from the heat.

5. Place a dollop of thyme mash in the centre of your plate. Place some beans on the top, followed by the fish and drizzle over the beurre noisette. Enjoy!