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Top End teen reels in $1 million barra

Posted on by Ktima.Heathcote

A 19-year-old Katherine man has snagged the catch of a lifetime, reeling in the Northern Territory’s prized million-dollar barra during Season 9 of Million Dollar Fish, sponsored by Sportsbet.

Keegan Payne was on a fishing trip with one of his sisters and a friend in the early hours of Sunday morning at Katherine River when he reeled in the fish, calling the hotline at 1am.

Keegan has now won $1 million from Sportsbet as part of the competition.

“This is crazy for us, we’re a big family, there’s eight of us. This is more money than we could ever ask for. This is just great.

“It means so much. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me. I’m happy, really happy. I can buy what I want, maybe help dad and mum out with the home loans.”

The prized barra was released into Top End waters as part of Australia’s richest fishing competition. Each season the competition sees more than a hundred red-tagged fish released in Darwin, Katherine, Arnhem Land, Tiwi Islands and Kakadu waterways. Some are worth a million dollars while the rest are worth $10,000.

NT Major Events Company CEO Suzana Bishop said an event like this, now in it’s ninth season, is such a fantastic opportunity for locals and visitors to spend time in the great outdoors of the Territory.

“The Million Dollar barra has become one of our greatest ambassadors and we are so happy and excited for Keegan and his family,” Ms Bishop said.

“The Territory is the best place for fishos and it’s fitting that a local has reeled in the biggest catch going around – the Million Dollar Fish.

“The figures speak for themselves, with more than 60,000 registrations to be part of Season 9 of Million Dollar Fish, from all corners of the country and even overseas. We can’t wait to see what Season 10 will bring.”

As well as making someone a millionaire, Season 9 has seen eight fishos share in $10,000, so far by catching $10,000 fish, one fisho won a Double the Dough. Scores of people have also won prizes through the monthly Lucky Prize Pool draw.

Since the competition began in 2015, Sportsbet has given away $1,015,000 in prize money, generated over $70m in extra spend in the NT in 2023 and attracted more than 10,000 visitors.

Charities have also benefited, with Sportsbet paying $1,000 to the fisho’s Million Dollar Fish charity partner of choice every time a $10,000 fish is caught. Because Keegan caught a million-dollar barra, he will be able to donate $10,000 to the Cancer Council.

Season 9 will end at 11.59pm on Tuesday, 30 April, 2024. All red-tagged fish will cease to be active. Season 10 will return. Join our mailing list to find out more.

 

NT’s millionaire-making fishing comp extended to April 30!

Posted on by Leanne Hudson

Anglers now have an extra month to catch a million-dollar barra in Australia’s richest fishing competition, Million Dollar Fish, with organisers announcing that Season 9 will be extended to 30 April.

Season 9 of Million Dollar Fish, which is delivered by Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC) and supported by SportsBet, was due to end on 31 March 2024, but with no winner yet, the season has been extended to give everyone more time to catch a red-tagged million-dollar fish.

There are also more than 80 x million-dollar tagged barra.

SportsBet NT Operations and Partnerships Manager Thijs Bors said the odds were even better with a map available of where fish have been released across the Top End’s five main fishing regions – Darwin, Kakadu, Katherine, Tiwi Islands and Arnhem Land.

“Million Dollar Fish is shaking up the competition and extending it for 30 days. We can’t wait to make one lucky angler a millionaire and hope the fish is caught soon. Get out there and wet a line, everyone is in with a shot of catching the big one,” he said.

This season has seen the highest-ever number of registrations for the annual event.

Million Dollar Fish seasons typically run from 1 October to 31 March. Season 9 will run to 30 April 2024. Once the million-dollar fish is caught, the remainder of the red-tagged barra revert to $10,000 fish until the end of April. To claim any prize money from a tagged fish, you must be registered for Season 9.

Borroloola fisho lands $10K Barra

Posted on by Leanne Hudson

The first red-tagged barra has been reeled in for 2024 by Borroloola resident James Mawson.

This is the eighth $10,000 barra caught in Season 9 of Million Dollar Fish, with $90,000 now awarded to lucky anglers across this season of Australia’s richest fishing competition

James was fishing 2kms upstream of the Borroloola Crossing on Monday, 22 January, when he managed to lure in one expensive fish. 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. James chose Starlight Children’s Foundation Darwin Star Ball.

James Mawson said he was shocked when he reeled in the prize-winning fish.

“It was just another fishing day for us. Just get out there and have a go, you never know, it was just a normal day out fishing. I wasn’t expecting to go home with a red tag.”

It comes as Million Dollar Fish, underwritten by SportsBet, has announced there are now a whopping 24 barra with tags worth a million bucks, the most in the history of the competition.

There are still 103 barramundi waiting to be caught as part of Million Dollar Fish Season 9. That includes the 24 fish carrying a tag worth a million bucks. The change means there is about a one-in-four chance of your fish being worth a million if you reel in a Season 9 red-tagged barra.

SportsBet NT Operations and Partnerships Manager Thijs Bors says 2024 is off to a cracking start with James catching a 65cm beauty out at Borroloola.

“It goes to show the tagged barra are everywhere and you’ve got a shot at catching one all over the Top End,” he said.

“SportsBet is excited to see who else reels in a $10,000 barra or the life-changing barra worth a million bucks!”

Delivered by Northern Territory Major Events Company on behalf of the Territory Government, the Million Dollar Fish Season 8 competition injected a total expenditure stimulus of $70.8 million into the Territory.

NT fishing competition now offers 24 x barra worth a million bucks for 2024!

Posted on by Leanne Hudson

There are now more chances than ever, 24 in fact, to reel in a life-changing barramundi in the Northern Territory thanks to Australia’s richest fishing competition, Million Dollar Fish.

Joining the 12 x $1m barra already released, an extra 12 fish have now been tagged as $1m fish. This means there are 24 ‘big ones’ out there – the most in the history of the competition.

There are also 80 x $10,000 barra to be caught.

Million Dollar Fish, supported by SportsBet, is run by Northern Territory Major Events Company. CEO Suzana Bishop says someone is guaranteed to reel in a million dollars during Season 9, and the odds have never been better.

“We’ve kicked off 2024 with the most million-dollar fish ever and we are definitely giving away a million dollars this season, so there has never been a better time to visit the Northern Territory,” she says.

“This is a unique competition in a unique destination. Nowhere else in the world could fishing change your life like this. Head to the Top End and enjoy world-class fishing in our pristine waterways, plus the chance to become a millionaire!”

There are now 24 fish sporting $1m tags as part of Million Dollar Fish Season 9
There are now 24 fish sporting $1m tags as part of Million Dollar Fish Season 9

SportsBet NT Operations and Partnerships Manager Thijs Bors says there is just a few months of Million Dollar Fish Season 9 left.

“As the major sponsor of Million Dollar Fish, SportsBet is thrilled to be playing a part in making one lucky fisho a millionaire and helping dozens of others become $10,000 richer,” he says.

“With less than 10 weeks of Season 9 left, now is the time to register and get out on the water before it’s too late!”

Once a $1m fish is caught, all remaining fish, including those tagged at $1m, will become $10,000 fish.

Season 9 runs from 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2024. To claim any prize money from a tagged fish, you must be registered for Season 9 of Million Dollar Fish. This also automatically enters you into the Lucky Prize Pool, which includes thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes up for grabs. Register now for free at www.milliondollarfish.com.au.

Third time lucky and another $10,000 for Territory fisho

Posted on by Leanne Hudson

Dedicated fisho Jack Daly, from Nauiyu/Daly River, has pocketed himself $10,000 just in time for Christmas after hooking a Million Dollar Fish Season 9 red-tagged barramundi. Persistence has paid off again for Jack, with this the third $10,000 barra he has caught since the competition began.

Jack, 35, reeled in his latest prize-winning catch, a 58cm barra, at Daly River Crossing on Friday. Jack had been down at the crossing on Friday from 7.30pm when several hours later he reeled in the red-tagged fish on a plastic lure. He said his secret to catching barra was consistency, often fishing most nights.  Over the moon with his latest catch, he said his two kids had drafted up a Christmas wish list after learning he had hooked a red-tagged barra.

“I thought I’d never catch any this year but the water came up a little bit and then started dropping again and then I caught this on the crossing,” Jack said.

“I go fishing nearly every night, or when I get the chance to if I’m not working at night, I’ll go fishing. That’s just something I love doing every day or every night anyway when it’s nice and cool.

“The key is consistency. If you keep fishing every night, anything could happen, you know? That’s all it takes just a bit of time fishing at night or day, and you’ll never know you’ll get a red tag.”

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.

It is the seventh $10,000 barra to be caught in Season 9 of Australia’s richest fishing competition, supported by SportsBet.

Seven $10,000 barra caught in the first nine weeks of Season 9

SportsBet NT Operations and Partnerships Manager Thijs Bors said seven $10,000 barra had now been caught in the first nine weeks of Season 9.

“Congratulations to Nauiyu/Daly River resident, Jack, who has now reeled in his third $10,000 fish since Million Dollar Fish began in 2015,” he said.

“With more red-tagged Million Dollar Fish out there than ever before, the odds are definitely in favour of the fishos this season. We’re getting closer and closer to giving away the million and SportsBet can’t wait.”

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. Jack is giving the $1,000 to Riding for the Disabled Association Top End.

Riding for the Disabled Association Top End President Tania Lesneuck said: “We are excited to hear that Jack chose to share his Million Dollar Fish joy with RDA Top End! His donation will bring smiles to our riders and horses”.

There is still 92 red-tagged $10,000 barra out there, plus 12 barra sporting the big million-dollar tags released since the competition began. All are eligible to be caught.

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.

Extra $1 million-dollar barra as Fishmas launches

Posted on by Leanne Hudson

Million Dollar Fish, supported by SportsBet, is the competition that keeps on giving. Season 9 is set to share the love this Fishmas through 12 days of surprises.

Fishmas will deliver on the ultimate Christmas wish-list, with the fishing elves revealing a new surprise each day from Friday, 1 December 2023.

Today’s surprise is that one of the barra originally worth $10,000 is now worth a million bucks. So there are now 12 chances to reel in a million dollars. There are also 93 barra worth $10,000 still swimming around out there.

The surprises include winning a fishing charter that will see you drop a line in some stunning locations. There are also vouchers to wine and dine at some of Darwin’s best restaurants, and some great fishing gear. Anyone registered for Season 9 is in the running to win. The full list of surprises will be revealed via the website and www.facebook.com/milliondollarfishNT.

Make this Christmas one for the memory books

Season 9 of Million Dollar Fish has already given away $70,000 to six lucky fishos who have reeled in a $10,000 barra (one was worth double the dough!).

So make this Christmas one for the memory books with plenty of red tags swimming around out there. This includes 94 barra worth $10,000, and 11 worth a million bucks.

Remember, someone is guaranteed to win a million dollars this season, and the big one could be reeled in anywhere with red-tagged barra released across Top End waterways. These include Darwin, Kakadu, Tiwi Islands, Katherine and Arnhem Land regions.

SportsBet NT Operations and Partnerships Manager Thijs Bors said as the major sponsor of Million Dollar Fish, SportsBet has given six lucky fishos cash for reeling in a red-tagged barra.

“Now anglers have the chance to snag some great Fishmas prizes too. Million Dollar Fish is the greatest fishing competition in Australia and, with the million guaranteed to go off this season, we can’t wait to change someone’s life simply through fishing,” he said.

Season 9 of Million Dollar Fish runs from 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2024. Anglers must register for Season 9 to claim any prize money from a red-tagged barra. This also automatically enters them into the monthly Lucky Prize Pool, which includes thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes such as holiday and flight packages, and fishing and camping gear. Register now for free at www.milliondollarfish.com.au.

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.

 

Second red-tagged $10,000 barra of Season 9 caught!

Posted on by Erin

Just two weeks into Australia’s richest fishing competition, a lucky fisho has caught the second $10,000 barra of Million Dollar Fish Season 9. Andrew Russell from Wagait Beach is the happy angler. It follows the first fish caught just three hours after the competition began. Find out more here.

“I was out on my boat with my neighbour. He’s also called Andrew and we’re always fishing together. We were on the last two casts of the day when I snagged a barra and saw the tag. I was pretty nervous reeling the fish in, but lucky for me I landed it,” Mr Russell said.

“I’m going to split the cash with Andrew. And I’ll get out onto the water as soon as possible to hopefully catch one of the 11 fish worth a million dollars.”

Someone will definitely win a million dollars during Season 9. To help things along, this season we’ve released not one, but two, fish worth a million dollars. There are now 11 fish worth a million, as all the big ones from previous seasons remain eligible to be caught.

Andrew caught his 73cm barra on Thursday, 12 October at Woods Inlet. Ninety-eight $10,000 barra are still out there.

All winning fishos can donate an extra $1000 to their Million Dollar Fish charity of choice. Andrew chose Cancer Council NT.

Cancer Council NT CEO Tanya Izod said Cancer Council NT was very grateful to Andrew for choosing us as his charity.

“This donation will go directly to our nurse-led oncology clinics and services for Territory cancer patients,” she said.

“Eighty-three per cent of our annual funding comes from fundraising events like Million Dollar Fish. Every person who attends an event, volunteers on our programs or sponsors our work supports cancer patients. Our services are available to anyone touched by cancer. Thank you again Andrew for supporting our valuable work.”

Season 9 of Million Dollar Fish runs from 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2024. Register now to be eligible to claim any prize money from a tagged barra. This automatically enters you into the Lucky Prize Pool, which includes thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes. Register now here.