Borroloola fisho lands $10k barra

The eighth $10,000 barra has been caught in Season 9 of Million Dollar Fish, Australia’s richest fishing competition. The first red-tagged barra for 2024 was reeled in by Borroloola resident James Mawson.

It comes as Million Dollar Fish, supported by SportsBet, has announced there are now a whopping 24 barra with tags worth a million bucks, the most in the history of the competition.

James was fishing with family when he reeled in the 65cm barra at one of his regular fishing spots about 2km upstream of Borroloola Crossing on Monday, 22 January. In disbelief, James, who has entered the competition since it began, and his family packed up and drove home to call in the catch. James says he will be stocking up on some fishing gear and doing some shopping with his winnings.

“I was shocked, it was just another fishing day for us. Just get out there and have a go, you never know, it was just a normal day out fishing. I wasn’t expecting to go home with a red tag,” James says.

There are still 103 barramundi waiting to be caught as part of Million Dollar Fish Season 9. That includes the 24 fish carrying a tag worth a million bucks. The change means there is about a one-in-four chance of your fish being worth a million if you reel in a Season 9 red-tagged barra.

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. James chose Starlight Children’s Foundation Darwin Star Ball.

Delivered by Northern Territory Major Events Company, Million Dollar Fish Season 8 injected a total expenditure stimulus of $70.8 million into the Territory, of which 33.3 per cent ($23.6 million) was new money.

Season 9 of Million Dollar Fish runs from 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2024. To claim any prize money from a tagged fish, you must be registered for Season 9. This also automatically enters you into the Lucky Prize Pool, which includes thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes up for grabs including holiday and flights packages and fishing and camping merchandise and equipment. Register now for free at www.milliondollarfish.com.au.

SportsBet NT Operations and Partnerships Manager Thijs Bors says 2024 is off to a cracking start with James catching a 65cm beauty out at Borroloola.

“It goes to show the tagged barra are everywhere and you’ve got a shot at catching one all over the Top End. SportsBet is excited to see who else reels in a $10,000 barra or the life changing barra worth a million bucks!”