Local fisherman Matt Kelleher has become the 7th fisho to reel in a barramundi worth $10,000 as part of the NT Government’s Million Dollar Fish competition.
Matt caught the 59 centimetre $10,000 barra at Shoal Bay- the first ever tagged barra landed at Shoal Bay as part of the Million Dollar Fish competition.
“I still can’t believe I reeled in a tagged barra,” Mr Kelleher said.
“My friend spotted the tag as I was pulling it in, so we were extra careful as we netted it.
“We’d lost a barra the week before and checked the Go-Pro footage later to double-check it wasn’t a winner. It would be heartbreaking to know a tagged fish jumped off the line.”
It’s been a lucky week for Mr Keheller, also winning the Million Dollar Fish Shimano Combo prize draw on Monday, a fishing competition on the weekend and now he’s caught a red tagged barra.
“It was a long, hot day fishing in the sun, but completely worth it to take home a tagged fish,” Mr Kelleher said.
“I’m going to spend my money on a bigger boat and try to catch the Million Dollar Fish.”
The Million Dollar Fish competition kicked off on 1 October 2017, with seven $10,000 fish caught in the first 21 days of the competition and the $1 Million tagged barramundi still to be caught.
Department of Tourism and Culture CEO Alastair Shields congratulated Matt on being the 7th fisho to hook a prize-tagged fish.
“I encourage all anglers and their families to come to the Territory, try their luck at catching the Million Dollar Fish and enjoy our unique tourism experiences while they’re here.”
The Million Dollar Fish competition is a great initiative that has helped to boost the NT’s reputation as the best place in the world to stay, play and fish and lure more visitors to the Territory during the wet season from October to February.
In Season 3 of the competition, 101 barramundi have been tagged and released across the Territory with 100 carrying $10,000 cash prize tags. That means there are still 93 $10,000 barra's lurking and the prized Million Dollar Fish to be caught, plus a haul of prizes to be won just by registering for the competition.
So if you want to wet a line on the chance you can win, register for free on www.milliondollarfish.com.au and book a holiday to the NT today.
The Million Dollar Fish competition attracts approximately 40,000 interstate visitors to the Top End for fishing each year, as well as an additional 40,000 Territorians that travel to fish across the year.
CrownBet CEO Matt Tripp said he was delighted to see the seventh tagged barra caught this season- making it the 25th barra paid out over the past three seasons.
“Million Dollar Fish is the greatest fishing comp in Australia, and we’re hoping season 3 will reel in the big one.
“Season 1 saw 10 prize-tagged barramundi worth $10,000 each caught and season two reeled in eight $10,000 barra’s, and Season 3 is already up to seven tagged fish caught, so the competition has had a total of $250,000 in cash awarded and we’re tipping this season might top both seasons.”
Season 3 of the Million Dollar Fish competition runs from 1 October 2017 to 28 February 2018 and participants must register online at www.milliondollarfish.com.au for their chance to win a prized barra or one of the sponsors’ prizes.
For information on NT fishing regulations and best practice catch and release methods download the free Northern Territory (NT) Fishing Mate app on your smart phone.
Media contact: Department of Tourism and Culture 0476 844 832
