A night-time fishing session on Kakadu’s Yellow Water Billabong has landed Wanguri fisherman Basil Te Aho and his father Kimgi an 81cm barramundi worth $10,000.

It took two weeks for the pair to claim the Million Dollar Fish prize because they hadn’t seen the tag on the prize winning fish in the dark of night.

“We went out on 8 October and just threw a few barra in the freezer - guts, scales and all – we were exhausted after the night of fishing,” Basil said.

“We didn’t know until yesterday that it was a Million Dollar Fish. I was going to cook it on the smoker and I saw the tag and I thought I’d call the number.”

Basil’s red-tagged barra is the second Million Dollar Fish caught in Season Four of the competition, and both fish have been caught at Yellow Water Billabong.

Brett Skinner, General Manager of Cooinda Lodge, which is located next to Yellow Water Billabong, said that the lead-up to the wet was often the best time for catching barra.

"Yellow Water Billabong is always a prolific water hole for barramundi, but as the waters dry up in advance of the rains, the barra become even more concentrated.

"This is the third barra caught at Yellow Water Billabong with a $10,000 tag over the past two seasons and judging by how good the fishing's been recently, it's a good bet that the Million Dollar Fish is close by."

Basil said he would give some of the prize money to his family and book a holiday to go fishing for Kahawai (known as Australian Salmon in Australia) with his family in Wairoa on the North Island of New Zealand.

“I like going home in January, when the Kahawai come in and I go with my relations and clean up,” Basil said.

Basil has lived in the Territory since the 1970s and regularly visits the Yellow Water Billabong from September to November, before water levels rise with seasonal tropical rainfall.

“When the water is down a bit the fish congregate and it’s pretty easy to catch them, you just have to go early morning or at night when the tourist boats are off the water,” he said.

Department of Tourism and Culture Deputy CEO, Andrew Hopper encouraged fishos to check their catch closely for red and purple Season Four Million Dollar Fish tags.

“We’re very happy to confirm that Basil has won $10,000 and caught the second fish of the season,” Mr Hopper said.

“This is a lesson for everyone to check their fish carefully, because one red tag could change your life and net you $1 million.”

Season Four of the Million Dollar Fish competition commenced on 1 October 2018, with more chances than ever to catch a $1 million fish.

In this year’s competition, the number of $1 million fish has been increased to five, which is expected to reel in fishing fanatics to the Territory and give a boost to tourism and local tourism operators.

Those looking to come to the Territory and catch a Million Dollar Fish can register for free on www.milliondollarfish.com.au and book a holiday to the Territory today.

BetEasy Strategic Partnership Manager Brad Fanning said Yellow Water was a fishing hot spot that could have a few more surprises in store for fishos.

“We’ve seen two fish caught in Kakadu and there’s every chance that there are more prize winning fish swimming out there,” Mr Fanning said.

“There has also been multiple catches on the Daly River as well. There were more than 125 fish tagged and released or reactivated for the current season so there are plenty of chances to hook up across the Top End.”

For information on Territory fishing regulations and best practice catch and release methods, download the free Northern Territory (NT) Fishing Mate app on your smart phone.

Media contact –
Dan Hall 0428 052 647