Million Dollar Fish is off to the biggest start ever with 14 $10,000 red-tagged barramundi now reeled in this October, marking the biggest month ever for the competition. This latest catch surpasses Season 8, when 13 fish were caught in October.
The 14th fish travelled an impressive 90km from Bynoe Harbour to Buffalo Creek, where it was reeled in by Territorian Alan Carter on Sunday, 28 October around 10am.
The 58cm red-tagged fish was a welcome surprise for Alan who was out for an early morning fish with some mates. The fish has affectionally been named Bert Big Bills as it’s delivered the rural resident a winning $10,000 catch.
“We left about four in the morning, went down (to Buffalo Creek) for the turn of the tide. (I’ve) fished there quite regularly, just sort of going on a Sunday, something to do, and along came Bert and sacrificed himself. I was nearly going to let the poor bugger go and then I thought, ‘no, it’s a current tag’, so I kept it and put it on ice,” Alan said.
Fishos are encouraged to head out to Top End waters and wet their lines as Australia’s richest fishing competition continues to deliver winning catches.
There are now 85 red-tagged $10,000 fish and 10 fish with a million-dollar tag for Season 10. Each season the competition sees red-tagged barramundi released in Darwin, Katherine, Arnhem Land, Kakadu and Tiwi Islands waterways.
Sportsbet NT Operations and Partnerships Manager Thijs Bors said: “Sportsbet is delighted to see yet another $10,000 barra reeled in by another devoted fisho. Million Dollar Fish continues to deliver and we look forward to seeing more lucky fishos win big, so register, get out there and cast a line.”
As the official charity partner, Cancer Council NT receives $1000 for every $10,000 tagged fish caught, bringing the total contribution to the charity to $14,000 so far. A total of $154,000 has been paid out since Season 10 began on 1 October.
Darwin resident Mark Parkinson has snagged the tenth $10,000 red-tagged barramundi for Season 10. The lucky angler reeled in a fish released by Minister for Major Events Marie-Clare Boothby on September 30.
Fishing at Dinah Beach Boat Ramp in the hope to catch a fish to cook up, Mark got more than he bargained for when he reeled in the 70cm barra around 8.30pm on Tuesday 8 October. The barra was released by Minster Boothby at the same location a week earlier for the launch of Season 10.
“Unlucky fish and lucky me. I just went to Dinah Beach after work,” he said.
“I heard a bit of bait movement and what sounded like boof so I went around there, and fourth cast (I hooked it).”
Mark’s catch is the 10th fish to be caught in just over a week. It follows what has been a huge Season 10 opening week for $10,000 winning catches. There are now 89 barramundi with $10,000 tags and 10 fish with a tag worth one million dollars.
Each season the competition sees about a hundred red-tagged fish released in Darwin, Katherine, Arnhem Land, Kakadu and Tiwi Islands waterways.
As the official charity partner, Cancer Council NT receives $1000 for every $10,000 tagged fish caught, bringing the total contribution to the charity to $10,000 so far.
Sportsbet NT Operations and Partnerships Manager Thijs Bors said: “Sportsbet is thrilled to see another $10,000 red-tagged fish caught”.
“It’s been an incredibly exciting time to be a part of the competition. With just a week of the competition down Sportsbet can’t wait to see more lucky fishos win big in Australia’s richest fishing competition.”
Million Dollar Fish Season 10 runs until 31 March 2025. Delivered by Northern Territory Major Events Company and supported by Sportsbet the competition is open to people aged over 18, with free registration. Simply by registering you are entered into the monthly prize draws valued at $79,000. Register for free at www.milliondollarfish.com.au.
Million Dollar Fish Season 10 is off to a thrilling start, with anglers catching nine red-tagged barramundi in the first week — surpassing the previous record of five from Season 6 and matching the total number of fish caught in the whole of Season 9. Season 10 is shaping up to be one for the history books!
The whopping nine $10,000 tagged barra have been caught throughout the Top End, from Daly River and East Alligator River to Corroboree Billabong and McArthur River Crossing, Borroloola. The excited fishers are all locals from the Territory, including former winner Yo Thu Yar. He caught a massive 90cm barramundi on 3 October, at the same Daly River Crossing spot where he landed his $10,000 barra during Season 8.
Daly River Crossing has proven to be a goldmine for Season 10 winning catches with Antonios Mougros, De Lusy and Theofilis Vrondos each reeling in their prize-winning catch from the river system.
The shocked lucky winners are excited to put their prizemoney to good use. Some will donate part of their winnings while others plan to pay off debts and upgrade their cars, and fishing gear. So
far in Season 10, fishers have won $90,000 and $9,000 has been donated to our official charity partner, Cancer Council NT.
MDF S10 winner Antonios Mougros
Antonios Mougros, who reeled in his 84cm catch on 2 October at Daly River Crossing, plans to split half his winnings with his best mate who was fishing beside him when he caught the barra.
Noah Faull, hooked his 70cm barra after several hours fishing on the East Alligator River with a work mate. After flicking fizzers the barra took the bite and put on a show, jumping into the air, before Noah bagged the catch. Noah was over the moon after learning he’d won $10,000 and hopes to do up his car and go on his first overseas holiday.
“It (the barra) was having a few jumps out of the water, it
was sick as, it put up a good little fight,” Noah said.
“I’m going to pay off my (car) loan, put it into my Hilux and get a little hunting rig up and going. I’ll be sorted, no more debt. I’ve got Bali coming up too, it’s my first time going overseas, I’m keen as.”
MDF S10 Noah Faull
“Just get out there have a crack, you can’t catch fish if you haven’t a got a line in the water. You gotta be in it to win it.”
Lydia Hebb hooked her red-tagged fish at Corroboree Billabong at 11.30pm, Saturday 5 October. Hitting the water as preparation for a fishing competition she got more than she bargained for after the 66cm fish took the lure. She hopes to spend a bit of the winnings on fishing and boating gear, support herself as she does a university placement and put some into savings.
“It was pretty good fishing. There were a few fish that we saw coming through on the sounder, and Lachie (her partner) had caught a few fish,” Lydia said.
MDF Season 10 $10,00 winner De Lusy
“I saw one come through, just flicked at it, and somehow landed straight in front of its nose, and it just boofed it straight away. It was a good fight, and it jumped right at the boat and we saw the tag in the light, ‘I was like, Lachie quickly net this fish’.”
Jaida Anderson, reeled in her 72cm fish at McArthur River Crossing, Borroloola on 3 October. Due to her remote location, her tag was flown to Darwin on an Airnorth plane to be verified.
“We were late night fishing and we just reeled in a barra and we didn’t know it had a tag, then was saw it, and then got all excited,” Jaida said.
“That was just a lucky night for us.”
There are still 90 barramundi with $10,000 tags. There are also 10 fish carrying a tag worth a million bucks – made up of nine fish from Season 9 and one from Season 10.
Sportsbet NT Operations and Partnerships Manager Thijs Bors said:“Sportsbet is thrilled to see the first week catch record broken with so many winners bagging a $10,000 tagged barra.”
“It’s crazy to see how strong the competition has started with $90,000 paid to winners and $9000 donated to official charity partner Cancer Council NT in just seven days.”
“Cancer Council NT benefits from every fish caught throughout Season 10 and means we can continue our lifesaving work in the Territory and educating Territorians on the importance of being SunSmart.”
Season 10 of the Million Dollar Fish competition runs from 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025. To claim any prize money from a tagged fish, you must be registered for Season 10 of Million Dollar Fish. This also automatically enters you into the monthly giveaway draw. Register now for free.
With just four weeks left of Million Dollar Fish Season 9, Australia’s richest fishing competition is turning up the heat by converting a whopping 18 $10,000 barra into million-dollar fish. It means there is now 42 Million Dollar Fish sporting a million-dollar tag!
Season 9 began with the news a million dollars will definitely be given away this season, and several initiatives have been introduced to help make this happen. More initiatives on top of the exciting change will be introduced throughout March to increase the chances of an angler reeling in the elusive million-dollar fish.
More than a million dollars have already been given away to lucky fishos since Million Dollar Fish, supported by SportsBet, began in 2015. This includes eight anglers who have reeled in a $10,000 fish during Season 9 – one was worth $20,000.
Fishos eager to land the catch of a lifetime should register and follow Million Dollar Fish on Facebook and Instagram to find out the next initiative of how the odds of reeling in a ‘big one’ will increase over the coming weeks. We guarantee it’s good.
Northern Territory Major Events Company delivers Million Dollar Fish. CEO Suzana Bishop says it is exciting to see the competition heat up with March Madness.
“With just a few short weeks of Season 9 left, we’re unleashing initiatives like this to ensure someone reels in the unforgettable million-dollar catch,” Mrs Bishop says.
“The Northern Territory has some of the best and most scenic fishing in the country and there’s no better excuse to head north to barradise and wet a line than Million Dollar Fish.”
There are 103 red-tagged barramundi still waiting to be caught as part of Season 9. From tomorrow, that includes the 42 barra carrying a tag worth a million bucks. There are now multiple million-dollar tagged fish in each of the five fishing regions – Arnhem Land, Darwin, Kakadu, Katherine and the Tiwi Islands.
SportsBet NT Operations and Partnerships Manager Thijs Bors says the major sponsor is excited to see the competition develop and fishos get involved.
“SportsBet is thrilled to be part of creating a life-changing moment for one angler,” Mr Bors says. “With the million-dollar fish a sure catch, March Madness will increase the chances like never before, which will excite anglers across the country. Make sure you get up to the Top End to be a part of the action.”
Season 9 of Million Dollar Fish runs from 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2024. Once a million-dollar tagged fish is hooked, all other million-dollar tagged fish revert to $10,000 fish for the rest of Season 9.
To claim any prize money from a red-tagged fish, an angler must be registered for Season 9 of Million Dollar Fish. This also automatically enters them into the Lucky Prize Pool, with thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes up for grabs.
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.
A lucky fisho has caught the third $10,000 red-tagged barra of Season 9 in Kakadu National Park.
Loren Hanton was night fishing at stunning Yellow Waters on 31 October. She couldn’t believe it when the 63cm beauty grabbed her lure.
“I’d had no luck on the water, even though my partner had caught four fish, so I was thinking of leaving. Then I pulled in a 70cm barra, which totally changed things!,” Loren said.
“My next catch was the red-tagged barra, and when I saw that red tag I started screaming. I couldn’t believe it. I’ve registered for Million Dollar Fish every season and am a regular fisho born and bred in the Territory.
“I can’t believe I’ve finally caught my own red-tagged barra. I will 100 per cent keep on fishing to try my luck at catching another.”
Underwritten 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.
Loren, who was fishing with her partner at Kakadu National Park, wasn’t having much luck. She was considering calling it a night when she reeled in a 70cm barra. Filled with renewed enthusiasm, she kept on casting, then landed her $10,000 prize.
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. Loren chose Shoreline. The program began on the Tiwi Islands and provides education and employment opportunities for young Indigenous people.
Shoreline Managing Director Jason Ryan thanked Loren for her donation.
“We are absolutely delighted Loren nominated us as the recipient charity for the recent red-tagged barramundi,” he said. “The donation will go directly towards creating opportunities for young First Nations students in the NT to develop their skills on water and obtain marine certifications.
“We are excited to see more tagged barramundi caught and a lucky fisho snag the million-dollar prize!”
Loren’s catch means there are now 97 $10,000 barramundi still out there, plus 11 barra carrying tags worth a million dollars. That includes the two released for Season 9, and those released for previous seasons. A fisho must register for Season 9 to claim any prize money from a tagged fish. 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.
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.
Humpty Doo local Wayne Leather reeled in a tagged barra in a Territory fishing spot just in the nick of time.
He was fishing at a secret spot in Adelaide River on Sunday, with only four days left of Million Dollar Fish. While reeling a fish in he was surprised to see a beaming red tag hanging off his 68cm catch. But other fish were still biting, so Wayne kept reeling in two more barra while his son tried to read the writing on the red tag. When they realised Wayne had pulled in a Season 8 barra, the duo quickly packed up and raced home.
“As soon as it went straight into the net it was facing upright and we both screamed out at the same time, ‘red tag!’ I said, ‘no way, this can’t be happening’,” Wayne said.
“We quickly got it in the boat before a croc came out and took the fish.
“We’re quite lucky actually. It’s hard to believe it happened because we didn’t go there to catch a tagged barra. We hadn’t given up, but at the end of the season, you think the doors are pretty well closed.”
Fisho registers for every Million Dollar Fish Season
Wayne is the third lucky fisho to take home $20,000 after hooking his barra during the final weekend of Double the Dough, where a $10,000 fish is worth $20,000. He chose the Darwin Star Ball through the Starlight Children’s Foundation to receive the $2000 charity donation.
Wayne has signed up for Million Dollar Fish, underwritten by SportsBet, every season since the competition began in 2015. He carefully inspects every barra he catches to see if it’s sporting a red tag. He has his favourite Territory fishing spot, but keeps it a secret.
SportsBet NT Operations and Partnerships Manager Thijs Bors was over the moon at handing another lucky fisho a cheque.
“As the major sponsor of Million Dollar Fish, SportsBet is thrilled to be awarding another lucky fisho a cheque for $20,000,” he said.
“Remember, there’s still nine barra worth a million bucks swimming around in Top End waters. They are eligible to be caught all year round if you register for Season 8 by 31 March 2023.”
There’s still 81 barramundi waiting to be caught as part of the competition. This includes nine fish carrying a tag worth a million bucks, which remain active all year round. Remember, you must register before the end of Season 8 to be eligible.
Season 8 of Million Dollar Fish ends on 31 March 2023. To claim any prize money from a tagged fish you must register by this Friday. This includes catching a fish worth a million bucks after Season 8 ends. Register now for free at www.milliondollarfish.com.au.
A Top End fishing trip with a mate from down south has seen Territorian Colin Carthew win $10,000. He cashed in after reeling in a red-tagged barra on the last cast of the day.
The two fishos wet a line near Talc Head at Woods Inlet on Friday, 25 November. Colin snagged the lucrative 62cm catch as part of Million Dollar Fish Season 8. This was before swiftly making their way back to the Darwin Ski Club boat ramp to beat the tide.
The Darwin-based angler said it was s challenging fishing trip, but well and truly paid off in the end. “The tides weren’t very good but we decided to head out and try our luck. I couldn’t believe it when we got the fish on the last cast – we weren’t sure if it was worth $10,000 or a million,” he said.
“When we got back to the boat ramp at the museum there was no tide, so we had to unhitch the trailer and bounce the tinny over the rocks back onto the trailer, damaging the jockey wheel in the process. It took over an hour, but it was worth it for a red-tagged barra.”
A keen fisho, Colin said he’ll put the money towards purchasing new video camera equipment.
Season 8 prize money biggest in competition’s history
Widely known as Australia’s richest fishing competition, Million Dollar Fish has already seen 15 anglers reel in prize-tagged barramundi as part of Season 8. Competition underwriter SportsBet has paid out a total of $160,000.
The amount of prize money up for grabs as part of Season 8 is the biggest in the history of the competition, with a whopping nine barramundi worth a million dollars now released in five fishing regions – Tiwi Islands, Darwin, Katherine, Kakadu and Arnhem Land. This includes the Season 8 Million Dollar Fish, in addition to those from every other season, which are still eligible to be caught.
Eighty-five Season 8 $10,000 barra are still swimming around Top End waterways. Each time a $10,000 fish is caught, an extra $1,000 is donated to one of the official Million Dollar Fish charities, as nominated by the lucky angler. Colin gave his $1,000 to Cancer Council NT.
Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC) Head of Events and Operations Coryn Huddy said now is an ideal time to visit the Territory. It’s also an opportunity to explore the Top End’s world-class fishing regions for the opportunity to bag a red-tagged barramundi.
“The concept is simple,” he said. “Jump online, register for free and then wet a line for the chance to become a millionaire. Plus, you’ll also go into the monthly Lucky Prize Pool to win epic prizes and experiences from Million Dollar Fish partners,” he said.
Million Dollar Fish Season 8 opened on 1 October 2022 and runs through until 31 March 2023. To be eligible for any prize money, anglers must have registered for Season 8.
Lucky fisho Leon Danicic found himself $10,000 better off with a red-tag barra bonus on a WA road trip.
Leon was enjoying a road trip from the Northern Territory to Western Australia with a mate. He was land-based fishing near the Vic River boat ramp when he hooked the 59cm catch. Born and bred in the Territory, Leon has fished for many years across the Top End. He said it was “unbelievable” he’d finally caught himself a red-tagged fish.
“I honestly thought I was hallucinating. I was already stoked about catching a barra, but my excitement had just gone to another level,” he said.
The Darwin-based fisho said he’ll put his winnings towards fuel, food and drinks while on a two-month road trip along the Western Australia coast with his mate Duncan O’Riley.
Last chance to bag a red-tag barra in Season 8
Million Dollar Fish has already seen 14 anglers reel in prize-tagged barramundi as part of Season 8. Competition underwriter SportsBet has paid out a total of $150,000.
The prize purse included in Season 8 is the largest ever, with nine fish worth a million dollars now released in five fishing regions – Tiwi Islands, Darwin, Katherine, Kakadu and Arnhem Land.
This includes the Season 8 Million Dollar Fish, as well as those from every other season, which are still eligible to be caught.
Registered anglers also have the chance to bag one of the remaining 86 $10,000 barra, with 14 caught so far. 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. Leon chose Cancer Council NT.
Million Dollar Fish Season 8 opened on 1 October 2022 and runs through until 31 March 2023. To be eligible for any prize money, anglers must have registered for Season 8. The monthly prize pool includes thousands of dollars’ worth of incredible prizes such as holidays, flights, and fishing and camping equipment. For more info and to register, visit www.milliondollarfish.com.au.
