Category: Featured

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.

Which colour tag have you reeled in? AFANT explains all!

Posted on by Erin

What do different coloured tags on fish in the Northern Territory mean?

A red-tagged barra is part of Million Dollar Fish. If you’ve registered for Season 9 and snag one of these, chances are you’ve won $10,000 or a cool mill.

But if you’re out fishing and reel in a barra with a green or yellow tag, it’s part of a community-based research program by the Amateur Fishermen’s Association of the Northern Territory (AFANT) in collaboration with Fisheries NT.

Know what different coloured tags mean

AFANT’s CEO David Ciaravolo said it’s important for anglers to know what the different coloured tags mean. He also explained why it’s important to report your catch if it’s sporting a yellow or green tag.

“Some barramundi are tagged for research purposes,” he said. “These tags are yellow or green and are under the dorsal spines near the shoulder. Each tag has an individual tag number and a phone number so you can report the tagged fish.

“Whether you keep a yellow or green tagged fish is up to you, as long as it is legal size, and within your possession limit.

“If you do release the fish, you should leave the tag intact so it will continue to provide information every time that fish is caught.

“Although you won’t win any money by catching a green- or yellow-tagged barra, you will get a free fishing lure if you report the catch to us. You’ll also get a certificate with information about how far the fish has travelled and how much it has grown.”

Important information is collected through fish tagging

Mr Ciaravolo said every time an angler reports a green- or yellow-tagged barra, AFANT gains more knowledge about the growth and movement of the fish.

“The information collected through fish tagging contributes to the understanding of fish stocks, size, and age structures. It also informs us about trends in catch and release rates,” he said.

“For some catchments, scientists estimate the proportion of barra caught each year based on the tagging data reported by recreational fishers.

“The data may also be fed into periodic barramundi stock assessments. So it’s vital to help keep stocks healthy and secure the future of recreational fishing.”

Caught a tagged fish? Now you know what different coloured tags mean, visit http://afant.com.au/rec-fisher-research/report-a-tagged-fish/ and be part of sustainable fishery management.

Tips to be Crocwise

Posted on by mdfishdev

Whenever you’re near the ocean, a river, a lake, a billabong, or any body of water in the Top End, you are in croc country, so Be Crocwise.

The Territory is home to thousands of freshwater crocs and an estimated 100,000 salties, who sit firmly at the top of the food chain. Fishos, crocs are probably your biggest competition when it comes to bagging a barra.

They’ve also been known to attack boats and people, but if you remember to Be Crocwise, you’ll reduce your risk of a nasty encounter. Remember – salties can be found in freshwater or saltwater, so you are likely to see a croc or two on your fishing adventures. If you don’t see them, rest assured, they are there.

STAY SAFE WHILE FISHING & BOATING:

  • Stay alert when launching or retrieving your boat
  • Don’t lean out of your boat or dangle your arms or legs over the side and remember, the smaller the boat, the bigger the risk
  • Stand at least five meters back from the water’s edge while fishing from land, and never stand on overhanging logs
  • Dispose of your fishing rubbish well away from the water’s edge
  • Do not enter or lean over the water to retrieve a lure
  • Obey all crocodile warning signs; they are there for your protection
  • Avoid paddling, cleaning fish, preparing food, washing or carrying out repetitive actions at the water’s edge or boatside
  • Always use landing nets when bringing in fish
  • Never provoke or harass crocodiles
  • Always report problem or aggressive crocodiles (in Darwin call 0419 822 859, in Katherine call 0407 958 405, in Kakadu call (08) 8938 1120)
  • If fishing at night, illuminate the outside of your boat so you can see what is around you, and stay back from the edge of the boat
  • Use wire crab traps to make it harder for crocodiles to access your bait and catch
  • Get out of the water as quickly as possible if you fall in
  • Do not interfere with crocodile traps

STAY SAFE WHILE CAMPING:

  • Camp at least 50m from the water’s edge
  • Avoid places where animals and livestock drink
  • Avoid returning to the same spot at the water’s edge to fill your bucket
  • Never prepare food, wash dishes or do other tasks near the water’s edge or next to sloping banks
  • Fill up your bucket and move away from the water’s edge quickly
  • Dispose of food scraps, fishing rubbish and other waste in bins away from your campsite, and check that other campers have not left these things behind

For more information visit www.becrocwise.nt.gov.au