Biggest Million Dollar Fish Season Wraps Up

The Territory’s biggest Million Dollar Fish season wraps up today, with 16 anglers from across Australia sharing a record $160,000 of prize money.

Season 7 of the competition also resulted in $17,000 being donated to Million Dollar Fish’s official charity partners. SportsBet underwrites the competition.

While all Season 7 $10,000 barra cease to be valid after today, eight fish carrying a tag worth a million bucks remain active year-round until one is caught. Anglers must be registered for Season 7 by midnight tonight to claim prize money.

In addition, Sportsbet will pay $1,000 to any tagged barramundi caught during next week’s Girls Gone Fishin competition, as well as four other fishing competitions across the Territory.

This season’s Million Dollar Fish tag number has been released, with anglers encouraged to look out for the following code: S7-MDF7399.

The $1 million tag numbers from previous seasons include: S1-MDF1469, S2-MDF2656, S3-MDF3556, S4-MDF4540, S4-MDF4663, S5-MDF5501 and S6-MDF6474.

Charities reel in donations

Cancer Council NT received a cheque for $5,000. The money will go towards the Transport to Treatment program.

Cancer Council NT CEO Tanya Izod said it was great to receive the donation as part of Season 7. “These funds have assisted to fund the fuel needed for our Transport to Treatment program and our nurse led clinics to provide counselling and support for patients,” she said.

Shoreline received a $4,000 donation. This will enable the Territory organisation to continue creating programs to sustainable careers for young Aboriginal Australians.

Shoreline Patron Matthew Hayden AM congratulated all Season 7 winners. “A huge thank you on behalf of the Shoreline Foundation to all winners who generously chose us as their charity,” he said. “The donations will go directly towards maritime training for Top End Indigenous youth.”

The Darwin Star Ball, supporting the Starlight Children’s Foundation, is the beneficiary of an $8,000 donation. This will help Starlight deliver its vital programs to sick kids in the Northern Territory.

Starlight Children’s Foundation CEO Louise Baxter said the team was so grateful to be a part of the extremely successful Million Dollar Fish season.

“Community support is needed now more than ever to help Starlight bring happiness to sick kids,” she said.

Successful Season 7 of Million Dollar Fish

SportsBet External Affairs Manager Brad Fanning said he couldn’t be happier to be giving away cheques to the three charities following an extremely successful season of Million Dollar Fish.

“This is the largest sum of money we’ve ever given away to charities in one season,” he said.

To register before Season 7 closes at 11:59pm on 31 March 2022, visit www.milliondollarfish.com.au.

Engel freezer the ultimate accessory for fishos

Gone are the days when you and a few fisho mates would head out on a fishing trip lugging 10kg bags of ice around just to keep the bait, beers and barra cool.

These days portable freezers are all the go, especially on weekends away. There’s no bashing ice into smithereens, no soupy water and fish-gut mix to navigate at the end of the day, and you can be certain your catch is kept at the perfect temperature.

Isn’t it time you got on board and treated yourself to an Engel fridge/freezer?

Built by Japanese company Sawafuji Electric from the toughest components, Engels use the legendary Sawafuji swing motor with only one moving part that self-lubricates. This gives them unreel bragging rights.

Engels don’t need much energy to work, with power consumption around 40 per cent less than a traditional compressor. The quality insulation guarantees a worry-free experience on the road or in a boat and they work at up to a 30-degree angle without losing efficiency.

If you thought the Engel was a fairly new invention. Think again. These guys have had a license to chill since 1962.

Treat yourself to an Engel today, and when you lure in that elusive barra on your next Territory fishing trip you can keep it in the conditions such a trophy deserves.

To find your nearest Engel dealer and more information on the entire Engel range, including premium iceboxes and accessories, visit www.engelaustralia.com.au

Get out there and get lost with Engel.

Territory a top fishing destination

World-class barra fishing is why fishos from all over Australia are lured to the Territory time and time again to drop a line.

Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned angler, trying your hand at catching a Northern Territory barra could be the fintastic experience you’ve been searching for.

Not only does the strong fighting spirit and aerial acrobatics of barra mean they’re a highly desired sport fish, they’re also delicious to eat, which makes that day of barra fishing that extra bit rewarding.

The friendly fishing team at Anaconda Darwin have some reely good tips when it comes to suggesting top fisho spots and hidden barra gems.

From where and when to fish, to the best way to handle a barra, plus top techniques to use, the Anaconda NT Barra Fishing Guide will have you hooked.

Our mates at Anaconda can equip you with the best gear for seasonal Top End conditions. They’re also big believers in sustainable fishing and advocate humane catch and release practices.

Click here to read the fishing guide and make sure you join the Anaconda Adventure Club. It’s free! You can also check out any deals from Darwin Anaconda here.

Meet Shimano Ambassador Bridget Rootsey

Shimano Ambassador and model Bridget Rootsey has been causing ripples in the local angling world with her winning streak at reeling in barra and billfish.

Bridget puts her fish-whispering ways (she won Champion Angler at the annual NT Billfish Classic in October 2020) down to wearing her lucky Shimano cap, and occasionally her Akubra hat – if there’s no breeze on the water.

“I love my Shimano cap,” said Bridget, who’s been fishing since she was a kid.

The former Barooga resident took to the world stage in 2016 as one of six New South Wales finalists in the Miss World Australia competition.

These days she’s swapped catwalks for boat ramps and is happy spending weekends fishing well-known waterways like the Adelaide River and Daly River with her partner, Kurt Williamson.

Her most memorable barra catch came last year when she lured in a monster measuring a whopping 112cm while fishing the Roper River in the Katherine region.

“It was 4.30am and I wasn’t properly awake,” Bridget said. “I couldn’t see much as it was still dark when I felt something big tug at the fizzer lure. I was praying it wasn’t a croc.

“This barra was a real fighter and I wasn’t ready for the size of her, but I kept my cool and reeled her in. As soon as I have a hit I’m onto it.”

Bridget practices catch and release, knows her bag limits and always lets the big girls go. Like Shimano, she is an advocate of ensuring safe, sustainable, accessible and enjoyable fishing for the Territory community.

Head to www.shimanofish.com.au for all their latest products and articles, from fish preparation and catch care to guides on the best rods and reels.

Lucky fishos enjoy bonus chance to snag a tagged barra

Sixty lucky fishos tried their best to catch a bonus $5,000 Charity Fish yesterday at a special event at Barramundi Adventures. The fishos won a spot at the invite-only gathering through a competition run with Mix 104.9 FM – Wet a Line with Matt Wright.

The event, in Darwin’s rural area, was to celebrate the partnership between Million Dollar Fish and Great Northern Brewing Co. Great Northern ambassador, mad keen fisho and Outback Wrangler Matt Wright released the bonus Charity Fish and the fishos had a good crack at catching it – but no one managed to snag it.

What they did snag was a swag of other prizes, including a Great Northern Breakaway fishing trip to the Tiwi Islands, Great Northern Fishing Packs and official Million Dollar Fish merchandise.

“It was a great day with plenty of action in the water,” NT Major Events CEO Tim Watsford said. “Barra were everywhere, but sadly the elusive $5,000 tagged barra refused to take the bait. A good time was had by all though, especially the winner of the Great Northern Breakaway fishing trip, which was worth more than $10,000. What better way to celebrate our partnership with Great Northern.”

“Million Dollar Fish is a great opportunity to get fishos up North, and what better brand to partner with than Great Northern, the taste of the North,” Matt Wright added.

If the bonus Charity Fish is caught by anyone registered for Million Dollar Fish, aged 18 or over, between now and 31 March 2021 (the end of Million Dollar Fish Season 6), the full $5,000 will go to the Million Dollar Fish-affiliated charity of the fisho’s choice. But the fisho is not forgotten – they’ll receive a remote fishing charter, courtesy of Barra Adventures, and a Million Dollar Fish merchandise pack.

There are still more than 100 tagged fish swimming around in Territory waterways, including seven with a $1 million prize tag.

Inspire your great return to the great outdoors

From where to hook the best barra, locations for a scenic beer or hidden coastal campsites, there’s a new map for adventurous fishos who want to make their next trip reely memorable.

If you’re looking for inspiration to explore the best fishing spots in the Northern Territory, our partners Great Northern Brewing Co have developed an interactive map as part of the Great Return campaign where you can choose your next adventure and plot your itinerary.

The map of top spots for fishing, camping and off-road experiences around Australia includes top tips from road-trippers who have explored locations, including Shady Camp and the Tiwi Islands. These are two of the five regions in Territory waterways where tagged MDF barra have been released.

Along with photos, the Great Return map also has links to local tourism websites about sites and activities on offer in regional communities.

You can even add your favourite spot and send a free personalised postcard to family or friends to inspire planning for their next fishing trip.

Throughout December, fishos will get 20 per cent off all apparel on the Great Northern merchandise store. Add what you like to the cart, type in the code MDF20 and bag your discount now.

Visit the merchandise store at greatnorthern.com.au/collections/all and see the planning map at map.thegreatreturn.com.au.

Book your barra bucket-list trip!

Searching for barradise? You need look no further than a four-night Helifishing and Helipub adventure around the Top End.

Whether you’re a first-time fisho or mad keen, fun and excitement are on the menu with a helicopter tour to some of the best local fishing spots and drinking holes to give you a true outback experience.

You can also get up close and personal with Tripod – one of Australia’s biggest crocs.

This bucket-list getaway, brought to you by our partner NT Now, offers a full day fishing charter around Darwin Harbour to maximise your fishing experience.

You’ll also be based at the Hilton Darwin which is the perfect place to explore the city’s shopping, restaurants and attractions.

The Million Dollar Fish Helifishing and Helipub Adventure is just one of several NT Now packages on offer with fishos getting more bang for their buck if they travel to the Territory before the MDF comp closes on 31 March 2021.

Visit ntnow to find out more and get your special deal of $200 off with every $1000 spent with the Northern Territory Summer Sale.