Humpty Doo fisho lands $20k barra in Adelaide River
Humpty Doo local Wayne Leather has reeled in a tagged barra just in the nick of time, with only four days left of Australia's richest fishing competition, Million Dollar Fish, underwritten by SportsBet.
Fishing at a secret Adelaide River spot on Sunday, Wayne reeled in the 68cm barra and was surprised to see a beaming red tag hanging off his catch. But other fish were still biting, so Wayne was kept busy reeling in two more barra while his son attempted to read the writing on the red tag. When they realised Wayne had pulled in a Season 8 barra, the duo quickly packed up and raced home.
Wayne is the third lucky fisho to take home $20,000 after hooking his barra during the final weekend of Double the Dough, where a $10,000 fish is worth $20,000. Wayne has chosen the Darwin Star Ball through the Starlight Children's Foundation to receive the $2000 charity donation.
Wayne has signed up for Million Dollar Fish every season since the competition began in 2015, and has fished across the Top End in the hope of pulling in a lucky fish, carefully inspecting every barra he's ever caught to see if it was sporting a red tag.
There are still 81 barramundi waiting to be caught as part of the Million Dollar Fish competition. That includes nine fish carrying a tag worth a million bucks, which remain active all year round, however you must register before the end of Season 8 to be eligible.
Season 8 of Million Dollar Fish ends on 31 March 2023. To claim any prize money from a tagged fish, including if you catch a fish worth a million bucks after Season 8 ends, you must register by this Friday. Register now for free at [http://www.milliondollarfish.com.au].
Quotes from NT Major Events Company CEO Suzana Bishop:
"What a season this has turned out to be! We've seen 19 fish caught and $220,000 paid out to lucky fishos. It's truly been a record breaker. We're lucky to have some of the country's best fishing right here in our backyard, and Wayne's catch proves there's plenty of tagged-barra still swimming in our waterways.
"Million Dollar Fish continues to be a great catch for the Territory, in terms of giving back to local businesses, putting the NT in the spotlight and getting interstate visitors to the Top End between October and March."
Quotes from SportsBet NT Operations and Partnerships Manager Thijs Bors:
"As the major sponsor of Million Dollar Fish, SportsBet is thrilled to be awarding another lucky fisho a cheque for $20,000.
"Remember, there's still nine barra worth a million bucks swimming around in Top End waters, and they are eligible to be caught all year round if you register for Season 8 by 31 March 2023."
Quotes from Million Dollar Fish $20,000 winner Wayne Leather:
"As soon as it went straight into the net it was facing upright and we both screamed out at the same time, 'red tag!' I said, 'no way, this can't be happening'.
"We quickly got it in the boat before a croc came out and took the fish.
"We're quite lucky actually. It's hard to believe that it's happened because we didn't go there to catch a tagged barra. We hadn't given up, but you're getting to the end of the season, and you think the doors are pretty well closed."
