Top End firing for Million Dollar Fish

Fishing has a way of creating tall tales and true, but also the extraordinary. Take last Sunday (October 16, 2016) when the sixth barramundi worth $10,000 was landed  in the NT Government’s Million Dollar Fish competition by what must be the luckiest family in the Top End.

The $10,000, 77cm prize-tagged barra was caught at the Daly River on Sunday by Nikita Jason from the Daly River.

Now, Ms Jason’s partner Kurt Baumann is a previous winner who caught a $10,000 barra earlier this month in the family’s favourite spot, as well as a $10,000 barra in Season 1.

That's $30,000 worth of tagged barra landed by these family fishers since the Million Dollar Fish competition began. No wonder they are straight back out there again and this time looking for the jackpot $1 million tagged fish.

The Department of Tourism and Culture CEO Alastair Shields congratulated Nikita on her amazing win in the Million Dollar Fish competition.

"We are so pleased for this family and it just shows there really is a chance for people to win a prize in this program. The competition has now landed six fish, with $60,000 in cash prizes now handed out," "Congratulations to Nikita on her amazing win in the Million Dollar Fish competition," Department of Tourism and Culture CEO Alastair Shields said.

"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, half of those from interstate."

Ms Jason’s capture is the sixth prized fish from Season 2 of Million Dollar Fish to be caught.

"I was overwhelmed when I saw the tag, I just couldn’t believe it. I don’t go fishing regularly, but my partner Kurt fishes for our family every day," said Ms Jason.

"We were at our usual spot at Daly River crossing and we caught five barra on Sunday night. I use a black and white rubber lure and Kurt uses a special flick technique."

When asked what her lucky charm was, Ms Jason said it was her children.

CrownBet CEO Matt Tripp is now expecting a regular call confirming the Million Dollar Fish Red Tags.

"How can we be surprised? It seems along with the best fishing locations in Australia the Northern Territory also has the best recreational anglers.

"Well done to Nikita, it looks like the Daly River is the place to be chasing red tagged barramundi, given it’s the third to be caught in that location this year."

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 94 $10,000 barra lurking and the prized million dollar fish to be caught.

The Million Dollar Fish competition runs from October 1, 2016  to February 28,  2017. You must register online to go in the winning and claim the cash prizes for the tagged fish. Register at www.milliondollarfish.com.au.