Big payday for Darwin fisho

Lucky fisho Leon Danicic has found himself $10,000 better off after wetting a line at the Vic River while enjoying a road trip from the Northern Territory to Western Australia.

Leon was land-based fishing near the Vic River boat ramp when he reeled in his 59cm barra. Born and bred in the Territory, Leon has fished for many years across the Top End and 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.
Widely known as Australia’s richest fishing competition, Million Dollar Fish has already seen 14 anglers reel in prize-tagged barramundi as part of Season 8. A total of $150,000 has been paid out by competition underwriter SportsBet.

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.

In addition, registered anglers have the chance to bag one of the remaining 86 $10,000 barra, with 14 caught so far. 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. Leon decided to give his $1,000 to 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. By doing so, participants go into the monthly Lucky Prize Pool, which 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.