Tag: fishing competition

Fishing regulations to keep in mind this festive season!

Posted on by Erin

Anyone who tells you that size doesn’t matter is not living in the real world. What fisho doesn’t want to go home after a hard day on the water and hear the words, “wow, that’s a big one!” It’s worth keeping in mind though, that catch sizes, fishing regulations and knowing your limits are all super important.

Fishing regulations are imperative when it comes to snagging a barra in the waterways of the Territory’s Top End.

To beat the odds of a flop at “Lake Disappointment”, you need to know the legal size for a barramundi. It is 55cm from nose to the tip of the tail. Anything smaller than this is a big no, no and must be released back into the water. This rule is the same right across Australia.

Northern Territory guides and conservation conscious anglers also have an unwritten law about those big boy barras. Anything from 90cm upwards should be quickly photographed and released. That’s because when a barra reaches 90cm in length it changes sex and becomes a female breeder.

Know your limits

Like anything in life, you gotta know your limits.  In the Territory, the bag limit for barra is five, with special controls of three barra per angler in Kakadu National Park, and the Mary and Daly River fish management zones.

While rules are in place to keep recreational catches at sustainable levels and reduce the potential for localised overfishing, that doesn’t mean you can’t enhance your enjoyment at dinner time by dishing up a sizeable tale on your catch of the day.

If you’re ever in doubt over fishing rules, restriction zones and the best way to release a fish, and don’t want to come up short, head to the Northern Territory Recreational Fishing Controls guide at www.fisheries.nt.gov.au or download the NT Fishing Mate app for a simpler option.

Good luck out there! And make sure you’re registered before you hit the water.

Angler reaps reward from Territory fishing hotspot

Posted on by Erin

The Territory’s Daly River has turned into a Million Dollar Fish drawcard, with another Season 8 $10,000 fish caught there. Lucky fisho Nathan Corpus is the most recent angler to bag a $10,000 red-tagged barra at the Territory fishing hotspot. Two other fishos caught their red-tagged barr at Daly River earlier in the season.

Nathan’s 58cm catch at Daly River on 27 November brings the total number of tagged fish caught in the first two months of this season to 16. This is the same number of fish caught during the whole six months of last season.

More than living up to its reputation as Australia’s richest fishing competition, Million Dollar Fish, underwritten by SportsBet, has now seen fishos walk away with $170,000. One lucky fisho won double the dough, while three Territory charities have shared in $17,000.

Fisho nearly missed season’s must-have accessory – a red tag

A talented fisho out on the river with mates, Nathan saw one of them drop a metrey before a much smaller fish took his own lure. He was so busy trying to flick his catch off so he could chase something bigger that he hardly noticed it was sporting this season’s must-have accessory – a red tag.

“My mate Russell (Hanton) and I were fishing somewhere we wouldn’t normally fish – it was full of snags,” Nathan said. “I cast and hit the bank, got it off, then got a tap and started winding like mad. It wasn’t a big fish, so I was busy trying to get it off my line so I could focus on something bigger. I almost missed the red tag because it was covered in green gunk.

“Russell read the tag and said, ‘I think you’ve got a $10k fish!’. When we caught up with our mates in another boat they asked if we’d caught any dollars – which means a metrey. I said, ‘Yeah, I caught 10,000 dollars!’ I still can’t believe it.”

The winning fisho donates an extra $1,000 to a Million Dollar Fish charity of their choice, every time a $10,000 fish is caught. Nathan chose Shoreline, an organisation that provides career pathways for young indigenous people.

There’s 84 $10,000 fish still waiting to be caught, plus nine fish carrying a tag worth a million bucks. Season 8 runs until 31 March 2023. You must register for Season 8 to claim any prize money from a tagged fish. This also automatically enters you into the Lucky Prize Pool. This includes thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes up for grabs including holiday and flights packages and fishing and camping merchandise and equipment.

And they keep on coming… another two tagged fish caught

Posted on by Erin

Australia’s richest fishing competition continues to live up to its name, with two more $10,000 tagged fish caught. The record-breaking Season 8 only began on 1 October 2022, and eight fishos are already sharing $90,000 worth of prize money.

Komang Budiana, of McMinns Lagoon in Darwin, caught the seventh fish on 19 October. He bagged his winning barra at Stokes Hill Wharf.

“I caught the fish using live bait and was about to go home when I caught it,” Komang said.

“There were a few people watching on the wharf as I reeled it in and everyone was freaking out!

Komang, who got into fishing during COVID, has become something of a barra addict. “Whether it’s really hot or raining, I’ll still go fishing,” he said. “I’m saving up to get my younger brother over to Australia from Bali to study, so I’ll use my winnings for that.”

Victorian angler catches red-tagged barra on last day in Darwin

Victorian angler Ranae Eels caught fish number eight on the same day in Bynoe Harbour while on a fishing charter with Barramundi Adventures. The Victorian resident was celebrating her last day in Darwin with a day on the water before heading home.

“I can’t believe I caught a red-tagged barra on my last day in Darwin,” said Ranae, from Ballarat. “I’ll probably put the cash towards a boat and maybe a dog. We’ve been travelling around Australia and will head back home to Ballarat for Christmas, but we’ll be back in the Territory next year to try and catch another tagged fish.”

Each time a Season 8 $10,000 barra is caught, an additional $1,000 is given to an official Million Dollar Fish charity of the fisho’s choice. Komang and Ranae both chose Cancer Council NT.

There are still 92 $10,000 barramundi swimming around Territory waterways, in addition to nine fish worth a million dollars. This includes the Season 8 Million Dollar Fish, plus the other big ones from previous seasons, which are still eligible to be caught. Prize-tagged barramundi have been released across the Tiwi Islands, Darwin, Katherine, Arnhem Land and Kakadu.

Fishos continue to cash in with red-tagged fish frenzy

Posted on by Erin

It’s raining red-tagged fish in the Top End, with two more prize-tagged barramundi reeled in during Season 8.

Daly River’s Darryl McLeod hooked his 76cm barra while land-based fishing at the Daly River Crossing on Thursday, 13 October. Worth a cool $10,000, Darryl plans to put the cash towards a boat. Luck seems to be on Darryl’s side. He bagged a $10,000 barra last season as well. His partner Kaitlyn Ahfat is also a winner, having reeled in her $10,000 catch back in Season 6. All three tagged fish were caught at Daly River Crossing.

“I was so happy and excited when I saw the red tag,” Darryl said. “I’m going to put the cash towards a new boat and hopefully go catch the Million Dollar Fish!”

Darryl’s was the third fish caught in Season 8. It was closely followed by fish number four, caught by Kurt Williamson of Dundee Beach. He hooked himself a 56cm, $10,000 barramundi in Bynoe Harbour on Friday, 14 October.

Kurt, a self-confessed barra addict, said he plans on putting his money away for Christmas time. A professional fishing guide, Kurt was stoked to finally get his own red tag in the bag. He’d witnessed one of his Queensland-based clients reel in a Season 7 $10,000 fish in March earlier this year.

“I’ve been trying to catch a red tag for years,” Kurt said. “I’ve always registered for Million Dollar Fish but never thought I’d catch one. I was very surprised when I saw the tag. I’m not too sure what I’ll put the money towards yet, but it’s a nice little bonus in time for Christmas.”

Each time a Season 8 $10,000 barra is caught, an extra $1,000 is given to one of the official Million Dollar Fish charities, as nominated by the winning fisho. Darryl decided to give his cash to Cancer Council NT, while Kurt opted to donate his $1,000 to the Starlight Children’s Foundation. SportsBet underwrites Million Dollar Fish.

 

First red tag in the bag for Million Dollar Fish Season 8

Posted on by Erin

Territorian Sharna Brennan has found herself $10,000 richer after reeling in the first red-tagged barramundi as part of Season 8.

The keen fisho reeled in the 90cm prize-tagged barra at Manton Dam on Thursday, 6 October. Sharna says she’ll put the money away for a rainy day, but admits the winnings will likely be spent on new fishing equipment eventually.

Luck seems to run in Sharna’s family, with her husband catching the first ever $10,000 fish of Million Dollar Fish back in Season 1. He reeled in his prize-tagged barra from Darwin Harbour.

“It was very exciting – we saw the red tag as we were netting it,” Sharna said. “There were a few screams, that’s for sure! We’ll put the money away in a bank account for now, but it will probably end up going on some new fishing equipment.”

Prize purse biggest yet

This season’s prize purse is the biggest yet, with nine barra worth a million bucks each now released in Top End waterways. This includes the one from Season 8, and those from every other season, which are still eligible to be caught. There are also 99 $10,000 barra waiting to be caught by registered anglers.  SportsBet supports Million Dollar Fish.

Fishos donate and extra $1,000 to one of the official Million Dollar Fish charity partners for every $10,000 fish caught. Sharna chose Cancer Council NT.

“At Cancer Council NT we know that screening and early diagnosis saves lives,” said Cancer Council NT CEO Tanya Izod. “This donation will go directly to funding our new cervical cancer screening clinics. They provide screening and cancer prevention training to women across the Northern Territory.

“A huge thank you to Million Dollar Fish for supporting Cancer Council NT again this year and the best of luck to all our fishermen and women out there.”

Season 8 of the Million Dollar Fish competition runs from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023. Fishos must register for Season 8 to claim any prize money from a tagged fish. This also automatically enters you into the monthly Lucky Prize Pool, which includes thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes, including holidays, flights, and fishing and camping gear. Register now for free at www.milliondollarfish.com.au.

The search is back on for Australia’s Most Wanted Fish!

Posted on by Isabella Hood

There’s never been a better time to wet a line in the Northern Territory, with Season 8 of the iconic fishing competition starting tomorrow.

Anglers from across Australia are encouraged to join the search for Australia’s Most Wanted Fish. They could become a millionaire by simply registering for free, fishing the NT, and catching a prize-tagged barramundi.

Million Dollar Fish is delivered by Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC) on behalf of the Northern Territory Government. SportsBet underwrites the competition. Each season, prize-tagged barramundi are released across the five Top End fishing regions, including Darwin, Tiwi Islands, Katherine, Kakadu and Arnhem Land.

A total of nine barramundi worth $1 million have now been released (at least one in each region), including the Season 8 Million Dollar Fish, plus those from previous seasons. All are still eligible to be caught. Once one of the nine is caught, the value of the remaining eight changes to $10,000 each.

An additional 100 x $10,000 barra have been released, and whenever a $10,000 fish is caught, the fisho can donate an additional $1,000 to an official Million Dollar Fish Charity Partner. A whopping $10,000 will be given to a charity partner when a lucky fisho bags a Million Dollar Fish. Season 8 Charity Partners include Shoreline, Cancer Council NT, and the Darwin Star Ball, supporting the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Season 8 shaping up to be the best

NTMEC Head of Events and Operations Coryn Huddy said Season 8 is shaping up to be the best yet, with prime fishing conditions, strong registration numbers and more prize money up for grabs than ever before.

“Excitement is ramping up for Million Dollar Fish Season 8,” he said. “After a mammoth Season 7, we are gearing up for another big six months and can’t wait to award more lucky fishos with huge cash prizes.

“With our world-class fishing and incredible tourism experiences, the Territory is a must-do holiday destination for the whole family. Combined with the chance of banking a million bucks, now is the perfect time to book a holiday, register for Million Dollar Fish and explore all the Territory has to offer.”

Registering for Million Dollar Fish Season 8 means automatic inclusion in the Lucky Prize Pool, with thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes up for grabs, such as Top End holiday packages, Airnorth airfares, Engel fridge-freezers, Shimano fishing packs, Britz campervan getaways, Million Dollar Fish merchandise and more.

SportsBet NT Operations and Partnerships Manager Thijs Bors said the latest instalment of Million Dollar Fish follows a record-breaking Season 7, which saw local and interstate anglers share a whopping $160,000 of prize money.

“We look forward to delivering another successful season, and wish all anglers the best of luck searching for Australia’s Most Wanted Fish!” he said.

To register for free or find out more, visit www.milliondollarfish.com.au.

Register now to catch Australia’s Most Wanted fish!

Posted on by Erin

It’s almost time to join the search for Australia’s Most Wanted fish. And the fisho who can land the most wanted fish will bag a cash reward of $1 million.

We launched a campaign dubbed ‘Australia’s Most Wanted’ to help raise awareness and increase the odds for those on the hunt for the Million Dollar Fish. The slippery suspect was last seen in Darwin Harbour wearing a red tag, as reported by key eyewitnesses.

You can now register for the Northern Territory’s Million Dollar Fish competition. Season 8 of Australia’s richest fishing competition runs from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023.

Million Dollar Fish is free to enter. The competition gives anglers the chance to bag a million bucks by catching prize-tagged barramundi in the Top End.

This season’s prize purse is the biggest yet, with nine fish worth a million bucks now released in Top End waterways. This includes the Season 8 Million Dollar Fish, plus those from previous seasons. Anglers also have the chance to catch one of 100 fish carrying a tag worth $10,000. Tagged fish are released into the five main fishing regions of Darwin Harbour, Tiwi Islands, Katherine, Kakadu and Arnhem Land.

Gearing up for another big season with double the dough

Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC) runs Million Dollar Fish on behalf of the Northern Territory Government. SportsBet underwrites the competition. NTMEC CEO Tim Watsford said the latest instalment of Million Dollar Fish follows a record-breaking Season 7, which saw 16 anglers take home $10,000 each.

“We’re gearing up for another big season of Million Dollar Fish, and now is the time to register, get your fishing gear in order and book a trip to the Territory to join the search,” he said.
“Start planning your Top End fishing adventure and how you’ll spend a million bucks. With more fish caught last season than ever before, you never know your luck.”

Each time a registered participant catches a $10,000 barramundi, an additional $1,000 will be donated to an official Million Dollar Fish Charity Partner. Similarly, a huge $10,000 will go to a Charity Partner when a lucky fisho hooks the Million Dollar Fish.

Once one of the nine Million Dollar Fish are caught, the remaining eight revert to $10,000 fish. The $1 million tag numbers you want to find in your lucky catch include:
S1-MDF1469; S2-MDF2656; S3-MDF3556; S4-MDF4540; S4-MDF4663; S5-MDF5501; S6-MDF6474 and S7-MDF7399

Make sure you register for Australia’s richest fishing competition

SportsBet NT Operations and Partnerships Manager Thijs Bors encouraged everyone to register for Australia’s richest fishing competition.

“There’s never been a better time to register for Million Dollar Fish and visit the Territory,” he said. “We have amazing fishing regions, pristine landscapes and beautiful sunsets.”

“The adrenaline of landing a barra, combined with the chance to win a million dollars, makes Million Dollar Fish the world’s most exciting fishing competition.”

Official Million Dollar Fish merchandise is back for Season 8. This includes a new lure, limited edition fishing shirt, stubby cooler and Fish Headz. Register for Season 8 and receive a merchandise discount code, including the chance to grab a special merch pack containing all items for just $90, a saving of almost $50.

You’ll also go into the draw to take home fantastic prizes as part of the Lucky Prize Pool each month. Prizes include Top End holiday packages, Airnorth airfares, Engel fridge-freezers, and Shimano fishing packs. There’s also Britz campervan getaways, Million Dollar Fish merchandise and more.

Million Dollar Fish began in 2015. It has been a popular drawcard for visitors to travel to the Top End for the chance to become a millionaire. Fishos from across the country have taken home significant cash prizes, but the Million Dollar Fish is yet to be caught.

Another Million Dollar Fish ‘Most Wanted’ in the bag!

Posted on by Erin

Jaylene Budd is the latest lucky fisho to land a tagged fish as part of Australia’s richest fishing competition Season 7.

She thought her knife was blunt when she couldn’t slice through the barra she bagged on Sunday. But closer inspection showed the real reason for her struggle – a red tagged barra worth $10,000.

Jaylene, who has been hunting for Australia’s Most Wanted fish for several seasons, is the 15th lucky fisho to land $10,000 from Season 7. She caught her 65cm fish while land-based fishing near the Finnis River boat ramp. While some tagged fish swim many kilometres, this one was hiding out just two kilometres from where it was released.

“I’ve been fishing since I was a kid and out fishing most weekends,” Jaylene said. “I’ve registered for Million Dollar Fish for years, and my husband caught a $10,000 barra in 2017. I caught the fish, and a few others on Sunday, but just threw them all in the freezer without noticing the red tag. I didn’t see it until I took the fish out to fillet it yesterday!”

For every $10,000 fish caught, the angler gets to donate an additional $1000 to the Million Dollar Fish-affiliated charity of their choice. Jaylene chose the Starlight Children’s Foundation Darwin Star Ball, as her young son once spent three months in hospital.

Northern Territory Major Events CEO Tim Watsford said this season has turned out to be the biggest yet, with plenty of keen anglers joining the search for the ones that got away.

“What a season it’s been! That’s 15 fishos with an extra $10,000 in the bank thanks to Million Dollar Fish, the competition that rewards people for doing something they love in one of the most unique places in Australia,” he said. “There are plenty of chances to bag a tagged barra yourself, with almost 100 fishy fugitives still swimming around out there.”

SportsBet underwrites Million Dollar Fish, which is Australia’s richest fishing competition. It sees scores of tagged fish released into the Top End’s five iconic fishing regions – Darwin, Katherine, Kakadu, Arnhem Land and Tiwi Islands.

Season 7 ends on 31 March 2022, but the eight fish carrying tags worth a million bucks remain active year-round. You MUST be registered for Season 7 to claim any cash. Registrations close on 31 March 2022.

 

Big pay day for Top End fishos

Posted on by Isabella Hood

Two Top End fishos have snagged a $10,000 cash bonus each, after hitting the water in the hope of reeling in Australia’s Most Wanted Fish – the Season 7 Million Dollar Fish.

While they weren’t successful in trapping the lucrative red-tagged runaway worth a million bucks, the fishos managed to locate two of the boss barramundi’s $10,000 accomplices on Sunday.

Josh James of Acacia Hills landed a 90cm fishy suspect while out with family members on Adelaide River. He looks forward to purchasing his kids a couple of motorbikes with his winnings. He will donate his additional $1,000 to the Starlight Children’s Foundation Darwin Star Ball.

“There was a fair bit of cheering and yahooing when we saw the red tag,” he said. “It’s a pretty cool concept, going fishing in the NT and getting cash for free. It’s so easy to sign up to Million Dollar Fish.”

Another Acacia Hills resident, Jarryd Price, also found himself with a red-tagged barra in his esky on Sunday. He was land-based fishing with a friend at Daly River using a handline when he bagged his 64cm suspect. It wasn’t until later on in the day, while cleaning and filleting the fish, that he noticed the red tag covered in algae. Jarryd has opted to give his additional $1,000 to Cancer Council NT.

“I’ve registered for Million Dollar Fish for a few seasons now, but never really thought I’d be lucky enough to get a red-tagged fish,” he said.

Australia’s Most Wanted Fish campaign launched earlier this month

After the ‘Australia’s Most Wanted Fish’ campaign launched earlier this month, fishos have hit Top End waters in droves to track down the Season 7 Million Dollar Fish, who is still on the swim. Authorities have made fresh calls for the community to join in the search and catch the head fishy fugitive, along with seven of his scaly relatives who also carry cash rewards of $1 million. Around 98 other Season 7 gang members remain at large and are worth $10,000.

Tim Watsford, CEO of Northern Territory Major Events Company, organiser of Million Dollar Fish, said search efforts have stepped up a notch with just a few weeks left of Season 7.

“Through Australia’s Most Wanted Fish we are encouraging as many fishos as possible to register, experience our world-class fishing and hopefully bag the Season 7 Million Dollar Fish,” he said.

“There’s plenty of time to get involved, so wet a line in the Top End today for your chance to become a million bucks richer.”

$1 million fish was last seen wearing a red tag in Darwin Harbour

Fishos are reminded the Season 7 $1 million fish was last seen wearing a red tag in Darwin Harbour, and to register their details for free before wetting a line. If you aren’t registered, you cannot claim the cash reward if you land a red-tagged runaway.

‘Australia’s Most Wanted Fish’ is part of the Million Dollar Fish competition, underwritten by SportsBet. The eight fish carrying a $1 million reward can be caught year-round, but you MUST be registered by 31 March 2022 to claim the cash. The $10,000 fish are only active until 31 March 2022, the end of Season 7. Once the first Million Dollar Fish is caught, cash rewards for the remaining seven head fugitives decrease to $10,000 each until the end of March, or become null and void if the Big One is caught between April and September.