The $10,000 72 centimetre prize-tagged barra was caught at Darwin Harbour Middle Arm on Friday 14 October by Jeremy Hooper from Bakewell who was fishing on his own, in his favourite spot.

“Congratulations to Jeremy on his win in the Million Dollar Fish competition,” said Department of Tourism and Culture CEO Alastair Shields.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better start to the competition with five $10,000 fish caught in the first two weeks and $50,000 in cash prizes now handed out.

“Million Dollar Fish is an important tourism campaign to generate increased visitation to the Northern Territory over the low season and has so far seen more than 30,000 people register for the competition with half of those from interstate.”

Mr Hooper’s recapture is the fifth prized fish from Season 2 of Million Dollar Fish to be caught.

“I go fishing regularly and didn’t expect to catch a $10,000 barra. It was my second catch of the day and I almost threw it back,” said the 28 year old keen fisherman.

“I was pretty stoked when I saw the red prize-tag and rang my partner Sam straight away. There were a few expletives said and I did a little happy dance, that’s for sure.”  

When asked for a fishing tip, he said; “You can’t catch a barra sitting on the couch.”

CrownBet CEO Matt Tripp, major sponsor of the competition and underwriters of the cash prizes, said he was overwhelmed at the unbelievable recapture rate for the first couple of weeks of Season 2 Million Dollar Fish.

"Terrific catch Jeremy congratulations. It looks like the anglers are most certainly on top of CrownBet and the Barramundi early into Season 2 Million Dollar Fish."

In Season 2 of Million Dollar Fish, 101 barramundi were tagged and released across the Territory with 100 carrying $10,000 cash prize tags. Today’s win means there are still 95 $10,000 barras lurking and the prized million dollar fish to be caught.

The Million Dollar Fish competition runs from 1 October 2016 – 28 February 2017.

Participants must register online at www.milliondollarfish.com.au.