The barra are really biting for Million Dollar Fish, with one lucky angler hooking the first catch of the season within hours of Season 9 starting.
Zain Lopez was fishing at Stokes Hill Wharf by the Darwin CBD at 3am on 1 October 2023 when he hooked himself a red-tagged barra worth $10,000. Season 9 runs from 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2024. Zain was lucky he remembered to register for Season 9 just hours before he caught his lucky catch, as anglers must be registered to claim any cash.
“I’ve fished that spot so many times and couldn’t believe it when I reeled in a barra with a red tag! My partner and I were speechless,” he said. “I caught the fish on my second cast. I go fishing most weekends when I can, and there is even more incentive and motivation to get out and wet a line now thanks to Million Dollar Fish. I’ll keep on fishing for more red-tagged barra!”
Million Dollar Fish, underwritten by SportsBet, offers anglers the chance to bag $10,000 or become a millionaire by simply wetting a line and catching a red-tagged barra, and with the million guaranteed to be reeled in this year there’s never been a better reason to fish the Top End. Tagged fish have been released across the Territory’s main fishing regions – Darwin, Kakadu, Tiwi Islands, Arnhem Land and Katherine.
SportsBet NT Operations and Partnerships Manager Thijs Bors said he was keen to see someone snag the Million Dollar Fish.
“There are still 99 $10,000 fish swimming around out there, plus 11 chances to land a fish worth a million dollars,” he said.
“This is the greatest fishing comp in Australia, if not the world, and with the million guaranteed to be hooked this year, you’d be mad not to register and fish the Top End.”
Each time a $10,000 barra is caught, the lucky fisho can donate an additional $1,000 to a Million Dollar Fish Season 9 Official Charity Partner. A further $10,000 will be donated to an Official Charity Partner when a Million Dollar Fish is reeled in. Official Charity Partners are Cancer Council NT, Shoreline, Starlight Children’s Foundation Darwin Star Ball and for the first time, Riding for the Disabled Association Top End. Zain chose Starlight.
“On behalf of Starlight I’d like to thank Zain for this donation. The support of our community is so important, and to be involved with something like Million Dollar Fish is fantastic for helping us deliver happiness to sick children in the Territory.”
Million Dollar Fish Season 9 began on 1 October 2023 and runs until 31 March 2024. Remember, you must be registered for Season 9 to claim the prize money if you catch a tagged fish.
This also automatically enters you into the monthly Lucky Prize Pool with epic prizes that include return airfares to Darwin with Airnorth, Britz campervan getaways, Great Northern vouchers, Engel goodies, Shimano Fishing Packs and more. Register for free at www.milliondollarfish.com.au.