Tag: season 6

NT reaps rewards from Million Dollar Fish Season 6

Posted on by Isabella Hood

Australia’s richest fishing competition keeps going from strength to strength, with the latest season of Million Dollar Fish delivering incredible results for the Territory and its economy, new figures show.

According to research, Season 6 of Million Dollar Fish generated an economic benefit (new money) of $11 million to the Top End, and an economic stimulus of $41.3 million for the Territory. Close to 29,000 people registered for Season 6, with almost 25,000 fishos actively participating in the competition.

SportsBet External Affairs Manager Brad Fanning said the company was thrilled to be the naming rights sponsor of an initiative that is delivering so many benefits to the Territory.

“It is fantastic these impressive results have been confirmed as we are busy preparing for Season 7 to be another bumper year, both for fishos out on the water trying to catch a tagged barra, and for the Territory as businesses reap the benefits of so many people signing up for this unique competition,” he said.

The largest contingent of people visiting the NT from interstate for Million Dollar Fish were from Queensland, followed by New South Wales. A total of 20,289 visitor nights were generated by visitors from outside the Territory.

In addition, the Net Promoter Score (NPS) for Season 6 was 72 per cent, with participation satisfaction coming in at 4.4 out of 5. More than 69 per cent of Season 6 visitors to the Territory indicated they are very likely to return for the next season of the competition.

Million Dollar Fish Season 7 returns on 1 October 2021 and will run until 31 March 2022. Registrations will open on 1 September 2021. For more information, head to www.milliondollarfish.com.au or follow Million Dollar Fish on social media.

Fishos win big through Season 6

Posted on by Isabella Hood

The latest season of Million Dollar Fish has come to a close, following a successful six months that saw local and interstate fishos cash in through the competition.

Between 1 October 2020 and 31 March 2021, anglers caught 11 prize-tagged fish across the Top End, with competition underwriter SportsBet paying out $115,000 in prize money.

SportsBet External Affairs Manager Brad Fanning said the company was thrilled to come on board as the naming rights sponsor and partner with Australia’s richest fishing competition for Season 6.

“Over the past six months we’ve seen a wide demographic of fishos take home huge cash prizes and registered participants of all ages win great prizes each month as part of the Lucky Prize Pool,” he said.

“I’d like to congratulate all winners of Season 6 and look forward to Million Dollar Fish returning for Season 7 in October this year.”

Fishos caught tagged barra at a range of iconic Top End fishing destinations, including Adelaide River, Darwin Harbour, Bridge Lagoon, Daly River, Finniss River and Kakadu. Holidays, home renovations, furniture, fishing equipment, a buck’s night and a lawn mower are just some of the things fishos spent their winnings on. Prize-tagged fish were caught in a range of ways, including by handline and from the shore, proving fishos do not need a boat or high-end fishing equipment to become a Million Dollar Fish winner.  One even fought off a crocodile to reel in his lucrative catch!

Both local and interstate fishos cashed in as part of Season 6, with 44 prizes drawn as part of the Lucky Prize Pool. Collectively worth $44,000, the prizes included fishing trips to the NT, Anaconda vouchers, Engel fridge/freezers, Shimano fishing packs and more.

Season 6 attracted almost 29,000 registrations, compared to 21,312 last year. New additions to the competition for Season 6 included the official Million Dollar Fish shirt made by Darwin’s very own Big Fish Gear. The new threads were embraced by local and interstate anglers alike, with almost 800 shirts sold throughout Season 6.

This season also saw the introduction of the new Double Tag Barra, which awarded $10,000 to the fisho, plus $5,000 to a mate of their choice. An interstate fisho and his mate were the first to hook onto a Double Tag Barra and take home $15,000 as part of Season 6. The March Madness initiative spiced things up further, and put $20,000 in the pockets of a local fisho after he caught the first tagged fish in March.

Although Season 6 has ended, fishos are reminded all seven $1 million tagged fish remain active year-round. If you catch a red-tagged barra call 1800 077 001 and quote the unique code. To claim the prize money you must have registered for Season 6 by 31 March 2021.

The Season 6 $1 million tag number to look out for is:

  • S6-MDF6474

Million Dollar Fish returns later this year, with Season 7 kicking off on 1 October 2021. For more information, head to www.milliondollarfish.com.au and follow Australia’s richest fishing competition on social media for all the latest updates.

Register for your chance to win a million bucks!

Posted on by Isabella Hood

Fishos, there’s still time for you to register and become a millionaire by bagging a barra after Million Dollar Fish Season 6 draws to a close at the end of this month. All you have to do is register before Wednesday, 31 March – and keep fishing.

According to the competition’s terms and conditions, all seven $1 million tagged-barra remain active year-round, giving fishos even more reasons to wet a line during the Territory’s famous run off.

Anyone not registered before the season concludes is unable to claim the cash if they catch one of the seven fish between 1 April-30 September 2021.

SportsBet External Affairs Manager Brad Fanning said Season 6 of Million Dollar Fish has been an incredible success.

“On behalf of SportsBet, we’d like to thank everyone who has registered for Season 6 and encourage others who haven’t yet signed up to do so before 31 March for the chance to become $1 million richer.

“With more Million Dollar Fish swimming around Top End waters than ever before there’s never been a better time to sign up for Australia’s richest fishing competition.”

Since Million Dollar Fish was introduced in 2015, hundreds of tagged barramundi have been released across the Territory’s main fishing regions; Darwin Harbour, Tiwi Islands, Katherine, Kakadu and Arnhem Land. With seven $1 million tagged fish released, the chances of becoming a millionaire have never been better.

If you catch a tagged fish and you’re registered for Million Dollar Fish, call 1800 077 001 and quote the unique code on the tag. It could be worth $1 million.

Million Dollar Fish Season 7 begins on 1 October 2021, with registrations opening later this year. To register and find out more, head to www.milliondollarfish.com.au and follow Million Dollar Fish on Facebook and Instagram for the latest info.

Bonus $5,000 tagged Charity Fish caught!

Posted on by Isabella Hood

Darwin’s Hayley Palazzi has reeled in the Bonus Charity Fish released as part of a special Million Dollar Fish event last Sunday.

Caught on Thursday, 26 November, the 80cm purple-tagged fish will see $5,000 go to Million Dollar Fish-affiliated charity, Cancer Council NT.

The fish was released at Barramundi Adventures in Berry Springs last week, and 60 lucky fishos won the chance to try and bag it. Although none of them managed to, they did walk away with a heap of other prizes, including a $10,000 Great Northern Breakaway to the Tiwi Islands.

Hayley and her husband, Aaron Palazzi, were enjoying a day out to celebrate their November birthdays when she caught the tagged barra with her final cast of the day. A keen fisho, Hayley said she hadn’t had time to go fishing for a while and they chose Barramundi Adventures because it is close to town and is always an enjoyable and fun place to go.

“I only registered for Million Dollar Fish on the way out to Barramundi Adventures because my husband, Aaron, thought it would be a good idea, just in case. I’ve never registered before as I don’t get much time to fish these days. I did not for one second expect to catch the tagged barra,” she said.

The northern suburbs resident wins a remote fishing charter, thanks to Barramundi Adventures, while the $5,000 goes to Cancer Council NT.

Cancer Council NT CEO Tanya Izod congratulated Hayley and thanked her for donating the money to Cancer Council NT.

“This donation will go directly to funding our 2021 Transport to Treatment program, which provides transport to cancer patients so they can safely attend cancer treatment at Alan Walker Cancer Care Centre and Royal Darwin Hospital,” she said.

This is the 10th fish caught in Season 6. There are still 123 tagged fish swimming around in Territory waterways, including seven worth $1 million (once the first Million Dollar Fish is caught the remaining six become $10,000 fish). You must be registered to win. Visit www.milliondollarfish.com.au.

First Charity Fish of Million Dollar Fish Season 6 in the bag!

Posted on by Isabella Hood

Darwinite Tony McLean has pocketed $2,500 after reeling in the first Charity Fish of Million Dollar Fish Season 6.

Caught on Sunday morning at East Point, the local fisho was land-based fishing with a mate when he reeled in the 56cm barra.

Worth $5,000 in total, the purple-tagged fish will see Tony take home a cheque for $2,500 with the other half donated to his Million Dollar Fish-affiliated charity of choice, The Starlight Children’s Foundation.

While the Charity Fish was not the Million Dollar Fish, Mr McLean said he was very happy to win $2,500 and donate the other half to a great cause.

“We’ve had a few celebratory beers since reeling in the Charity Fish and I’m very pleased to be able to give $2,500 to the Starlight Children’s Foundation – it’s a cause that is important to me,” he said.

“I’ve decided to split half the cash with my mate who was with me. He’s going to put the money towards new fishing gear and my wife needs a new lawn mower so that’s what I’ll be spending my winnings on.”

To be in the running to win great prizes and bag the catch of your life, click here to register.

 

 

Lucky fishos enjoy bonus chance to snag a tagged barra

Posted on by Leanne Hudson

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.

Fisho counting lucky stars after hooking red tag

Posted on by Isabella Hood

Local fisho Carly Petherick has found herself $10,000 richer after bagging the eighth prize-tagged barra as part of Million Dollar Fish Season 6.

Caught using hand line, the 60cm barra was reeled in off the rocks near the Nightcliff Jetty not long after sunset on Monday night, after travelling an impressive 18km from where it was initially tagged in Middle Harbour.

Carly, a self-confessed mad-keen fisho, has been registering for Million Dollar Fish since Season 3, but never thought she would be lucky enough to hook onto a prize-tagged barra.

“I couldn’t believe it when I caught the red-tagged fish. I actually didn’t notice the tag for a start until my nieces pointed it out and then we couldn’t stop screaming and jumping around,” she said.

“We have been fishing near the Nightcliff Jetty for months and months, but only ever caught a catfish and a small cod – I’m still in shock I managed to hook a red-tagged barra there.

“I’m not too sure what I’ll spend the cash on yet, but will probably put some away for Christmas.”

There are still 93 $10,000 Million Dollar Fish Season 6 tagged barra out there in Territory waters, plus seven $1 million barra (once the first $1 million fish is caught, the remaining six turn into $10,000 fish) and four Double Tag Barra worth $10,000 to the lucky fisho and $5,000 to their friend.

In addition, there are 20 $5,000 charity fish waiting to be caught, with $2,500 going to the lucky fisho and $2,500 going to the Million Dollar Fish-affiliated charity of choice.

Season 6 of the Million Dollar Fish competition runs from 1 October 2020 to 31 March 2021.

You must be registered to claim your prize if you catch a tagged barra. Register at www.milliondollarfish.com.au.

Fisho fights off croc for red-tagged barra

Posted on by Isabella Hood

Humpty Doo’s Brian Ahrens is the latest lucky fisho to bag a $10,000 barra, after going head to head with a croc for the red tag on Friday morning.

Within half an hour of launching his boat at Bridge Lagoon, the local man was reeling in a 68cm barra with a 2m saltwater croc in hot pursuit.

With no one else to help him net the prized catch or distract the hungry salty, Mr Ahrens said he was lucky to get the barra in the boat in one piece.

“A croc seemed very interested in him and had a bit of a go at the fish. As I wound him in I saw the croc on the surface chasing it,” he said.

“I was so excited when I saw the red tag, but trying to land it by myself was a bit of a challenge – I was glad to eventually get it in the boat!”

The long-time Territorian said the $10,000 would be useful to help pay off his mortgage.

Northern Territory Major Events Company CEO Tim Watsford said he couldn’t be happier with how successful Million Dollar Fish Season 6 has been so far, with seven fishos catching prize-tagged barramundi in just the first month of the competition.

“I’d like to congratulate Humpty Doo local Brian Ahrens on reeling in his prized catch all while competing with one of Bridge Lagoon’s hungry salties,” he said.

SportsBet External Affairs Manager Brad Fanning said this is the biggest and best season of Million Dollar Fish so far.

“Australia’s richest fishing competition keeps getting better and better each year, so get out there and wet a line for the chance to become a millionaire,” he said.

Million Dollar Fish Season 6 only launched a month ago, and already seven tagged fish have been caught.

A total of $75,000 in prize money has been won by registered participants across the Territory and Australia.

There are still five months to go as part of Million Dollar Fish Season 6, with 94 $10,000 barra remaining in the competition.

In addition, there are seven $1 million barra (if the $1 million fish is caught, the remaining six turn into $10,000 fish) and four Double-Tagged Barra worth $10,000 to the lucky fisho and $5,000 to their mate.

There are also 20 $5,000 charity fish yet to be caught, which will see $2,500 awarded to the angler and $2,500 to the winner’s Million Dollar Fish affiliated charity of choice.

Registered participants of Million Dollar Fish also go in the Lucky Prize Pool, with thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes to be won each month.To register for the chance to become a millionaire, go to www.milliondollarfish.com.au.

First female fisho to hook a Season 6 red-tagged barra bags $10,000

Posted on by Isabella Hood

Another lucky fisho has found themselves $10,000 richer as part of Million Dollar Fish Season 6!

Daly River local Kaitlyn Ahfat was fishing with a group of mates when she hooked onto the lucrative 63cm fish using live bait at the Daly River old crossing on Thursday, 15 October.

A mad keen fisho since she was a kid, the 25-year-old said she was relieved to have finally caught a red-tagged barramundi after registering for Million Dollar Fish each year since the competition started.

“I was out fishing with about 10 mates when I caught the red tag. Everyone was jumping up and down, we were so excited,” she said.

While the prize-tagged barramundi wasn’t the Million Dollar Fish, Ms Ahfat said the $10,000 would come in very handy purchasing furniture for her house, which is currently being renovated.

SportsBet External Affairs Manager Brad Fanning said SportsBet couldn’t be happier to see another fisho pocket $10,000 through Australia’s richest fishing competition.

“This season is shaping up to be a game changer with the chances of catching a Million Dollar Fish better than ever before. I would encourage everyone to register and wet a line across the Top End for the chance to become a millionaire,” he said.

A total of six tagged barra have been caught across the Top End since the competition launched on 1 October, with an incredible $65,000 in cash prizes won by locals and interstate visitors so far.

There are still 95 $10,000 barra swimming around Territory waterways, along with seven $1 million barra (if one $1 million fish is caught, the remaining six turn into $10,000 fish) and four Double-Tagged Barra worth $10,000 to the fisho and $5,000 to their mate.

There are also 20 $5,000 charity fish remaining, with $2,500 awarded to the angler and $2,500 to go to the winners’ Million Dollar Fish affiliated charity of choice.

Thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes are also up for grabs just by registering for Million Dollar Fish Season 6, which runs until 31 March 2021.

To find out more or to register for your chance to bag the biggest catch of your life, head to www.milliondollarfish.com.au

 

 

 

 

 

Finniss River fish brings Season 6 tally to five!

Posted on by Erin

Another Territorian is counting his lucky stars after reeling in a Season 6 red-tagged barramundi this week, earning him a whopping $10,000.

William Talbot, the fifth fisho to hook a prize-tagged fish this season, was wetting a line off the bank at the Finniss River mouth when he bagged the lucrative 70cm catch using live bait late on Monday, 5 October.

“When I first reeled the barra in, I didn’t realise it had a red tag. I took it up to the bank and it wasn’t until my girlfriend started screaming that I looked down and saw the tag,” he said.

“I’ve registered for Million Dollar Fish for the last few years but never thought I would be lucky enough to hook a red tag – I still don’t believe it.”

Tagged last month in Bynoe Harbour for Million Dollar Fish Season 6, the $10,000 barra travelled an incredible 64km to the Finniss River mouth before being caught.

Born and bred in the Top End, Mr Talbot has been living at Dundee Beach for over 20 years and said he couldn’t wait to splash the cash on some home renovations.

“I’m going to put the $10,000 towards building a new workshop and a verandah. My mate’s a builder so I’m going to get him to give me a hand,” he said.

Northern Territory Major Events Company CEO Tim Watsford congratulated local fisho William Talbot on reeling in the $10,000 catch.

“We are just over a week into Million Dollar Fish Season 6, and already we have seen five lucky fishos hook prize-tagged barra across the Top End,” he said.

“Season 6 is the biggest and best to date, and at this rate it’s shaping up to be the most memorable with more prize-tagged fish caught than ever before.”

SportsBet External Affairs Manager Brad Fanning said SportsBet couldn’t be happier to be awarding another local fisho a cheque for $10,000.

“The fishos are certainly on top in the competition so far and I have a feeling we might be in for a record-breaking season,” he said.

“The weather conditions are very favourable towards barra fishing at the moment, so I hope the stars align and one lucky fisho can hook onto one of the seven Million Dollar Fish included in Season 6.”