If Million Dollar Fish Season 8 is anything to go by, barramundi are getting easier to catch.
So far there have been 16 Sportsbet red-tagged barra caught since 1 October, and there are still nearly four months to go.
It’s incredible that 16 anglers have shared in $170,000 worth of prize money, more than any other season since the competition launched in 2015.
Last year around this time, additional barra were tagged and released as a Christmas present to anglers.
That may well happen again this year; however, there has been one special Christmas announcement: this December, the fisho who catches the biggest $10,000 Season 8 tagged barra will win a massive cash bonus – he or she will be paid $1000 per centimetre for the catch.
To break it down, if you catch a 75cm $10K Sportsbet tagged barra, and it’s the largest caught this month, you’ll be paid out a total of $75,000!
Prize-tagged fish have been caught at the following locations across the Territory: Corroboree Billabong, Hardies Lagoon, Mary River Bridge Lagoon, Stokes Hill Wharf, Daly River, Manton Dam, Victoria River, Darwin Harbour and Bynoe Harbour.
The biggest so far was actually the first one caught in Season 8: Sharna Brennan’s 90cm barra from Manton Dam.
There have also been two tagged barra in the 80s, five in the 70s, five in the 60s and three in the 50s.
This season’s prize purse is also the biggest yet, with nine fish worth a million dollars now released and ready to be caught.
Hopefully, one of those prized barra will be caught this season.
Given how many 10K barra have been caught already, surely after nearly eight years a million dollar fish will slip into a landing net.
Given the tides this weekend, you’d have to think both Bynoe Harbour and Darwin Harbour are likely to produce a red-tagged barra, especially as tagged fish have already come from these locations this season.
There’s still plenty of time to register and book a trip to the Territory, with Season 8 running until 31 March 2023.
Prize-tagged fish have been released into five main fishing regions in the Top End, including Darwin, Tiwi Islands, Katherine, Kakadu and Arnhem Land.
Million Dollar Fish is run by Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC) and is underwritten by SportsBet.
NTMEC Head of Events and Operations, Coryn Huddy, said it was great to see the positive impact Million Dollar Fish has on the Territory.
“The flow-on effects from Million Dollar Fish are incredible – not only does this competition pump up visitor numbers, it also shines a light on the Territory, showcases our amazing fishing regions and tourism experiences, and gives our economy a welcome boost,” he said.
SportsBet NT Operations and Partnerships Manager, Thijs Bors, said: “We are lucky to have some of Australia’s best fishing here in the Northern Territory, especially if you’re targeting barramundi,” he said.
Just by registering people also go into the draw to take home fantastic prizes as part of the Lucky Prize Pool each month.
To register for free or find out more, visit www.milliondollarfish.com.au.
Yuki Tatebe caught this terrific barra fishing Corroboree Billabong with Lincoln Kirby of Barra Or Blue Darwin Fishing Charters.
