LOCAL Darwin angler Greg Fry is the first to catch a tagged barramundi worth $10,000 as part of the Top End’s Million Dollar Fish competition, Season 5.
The prize-tagged barra was caught at Manton Dam while Fry was out fishing with friends at the weekend.
Season 5 kicked off on 1 October and saw 121 tagged Barramundi released; one red-tagged $1 million Barra, 100 red-tagged Barramundi worth $10,000 each and 20 purple-tagged Barramundi, worth $5,000 each to be split between the fisho and an NT based charity.
There are still six $1 million tag numbers still active from previous seasons. The tag numbers include:
S1-MDF1469
S2-MDF2656
S3-MDF3556
S4-MDF4540 and S4-MDF4663
Season 5 runs to 31 March 2020 and entry is free. To be in the running, participants must register online at www.milliondollarfish.com.au
Entrants will also go into the draw for more than $30,000 worth of prizes from Anaconda, Bigfish Gear, Engel, Shimano and Holidays of Australia and the World.
NT Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture, Lauren Moss said the Million Dollar Fish competition is recognised as Australia’s richest fishing competition and is also a favourite with Territorians vying for their chance at the million dollar catch.
“The Territory Labor Government continues to promote the Territory as an unrivalled fishing destination, and this initiative aims to drive more visitors to the Top End over the Tropical Summer and to enjoy our unique tourism experiences while they’re here.” Moss said.
The $10,000 barramundi was a welcomed surprise for winning angler, Greg Fry of Palmerston:
“We got out to Manton Dam late Saturday night… It was pretty quiet for the first hour or two, and then at around 2am on Sunday morning we hooked up and it was on from there.
“Once it kicked in, I felt a little bit of disbelief. We were pretty stoked and had a small celebration on the boat – everyone was hi-fiving and so happy.
“My mates and I decided that we’ll share the money, so 50 percent to the fisho and the other 50 percent to be divvied up amongst everyone else.” Fry said.
