Guy Gibson of Queensland is already planning his next trip to the Northern Territory, after reeling in a $10,000 red-tagged barramundi as part of Million Dollar Fish Season 7 on Friday, 11 March. Underwritten by SportsBet, Million Dollar Fish is Australia's richest fishing competition and sees a number of tagged fish released across Darwin, Katherine, Tiwi Islands, Kakadu and Arnhem Land.
The Yeppoon resident hooked the 57cm barra while on a Dundee fishing charter with a group from around Australia. They scored themselves a free trip to the Territory after winning a competition.
Guy is one of many fishos who have hit Territory waterways off the back of a new campaign called 'Australia's Most Wanted Fish', which was launched to increase the chances of the Million Dollar Fish being caught. Earlier this month, anglers were given the clue the Season 7 Million Dollar Fish was last seen in Darwin Harbour wearing a red tag and have since been hitting the water in droves to track him down.
This was Guy's first time visiting the Territory, and he says he'll be putting some of his winnings towards another Top End holiday to try his luck at bagging the country's most wanted barramundi, as well as investing in some new fishing tackle.
With every $10,000 fish caught, the angler has the opportunity to donate an additional $1,000 to a Million Dollar Fish affiliated charity of choice. Guy chose Shoreline, a Territory organisation that creates programs and pathways to sustainable careers for young Aboriginal Australians.
With the Million Dollar Fish still on the swim, authorities have made fresh calls for even more anglers to join search efforts to uncover the whereabouts of the head fishy fugitive, along with seven of his scaly relatives who also carry cash rewards of $1 million. Around 97 other Season 7 gang members are at large and carry a $10,000 reward.
Season 7 of the Million Dollar Fish competition runs from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022. However, the eight million dollar tags remain active year-round. As soon as one of Australia's Most Wanted Fish is caught, the remaining seven turn into $10,000 fish that are only valid during the official season.
To claim any prize money from a tagged fish, you must be registered for Season 7 of Million Dollar Fish. This also automatically enters you into the Lucky Prize Pool, which includes fantastic prizes such as a Great Northern Breakaway Trip, Anaconda vouchers, Engel goodies and Shimano Fishing Packs. Registrations close on 31 March 2022. Register for free at [http://www.milliondollarfish.com.au].
Quotes from NT Major Events Company CEO Tim Watsford:
"It's been a bumper season for Million Dollar Fish, with 14 fishos winning big right across the Territory. This has been our biggest season ever, and we hope to see even more anglers cash in before the end of March.
"Another lucky interstate visitor bagged a tagged fish while experiencing our world-class fishing regions, and now has a great story to share with his mates back in Queensland. This helps spread the word even further about tracking down Australia's Most Wanted Fish.
"We look forward to rolling out the welcome mat to more visitors like Guy and his mates, who travel to the Top End for our incredible tourism experiences and give a welcome boost to local businesses and the wider economy."
Quotes from SportsBet External Affairs Manager Brad Fanning:
"We've reached an exciting milestone in the Million Dollar Fish record books, with the largest number of barra caught in any one season.
"On behalf of SportsBet, we are stoked to be awarding another interstate fisho a cheque for $10,000 and look forward to handing out even more before the end of Season 7.
"It's prime time to catch a barra in the Territory at the moment, so I'd encourage everyone to register for Australia's richest fishing competition and hit the water for the chance to find this fishy fugitive and take home a cash reward of $1 million."
Quotes from winning fisho Guy Gibson:
"The dream was to land an elusive barra in the NT, so we were cheering to get one with a red tag in it. I was so excited, I think my legs were shaking for about half an hour after we landed it.
"In the weeks leading up to our trip I'd been joking that I'd be the one to catch the Million Dollar Fish. While it wasn't the big one, I'm still pretty happy with $10,000."
Quotes from Anglers Choice Fishing Safaris owner Emma Cartwright:
"It was the first trip to Darwin for this group of 16 men from around Australia, and their third attempt at getting to the Territory after COVID restrictions were introduced two years ago.
"We were so excited for them. You always hope one of your guests will catch a red-tagged barra, but you don't expect it to happen.
"Everyone comes to the Top End to catch a barra, and Guy did just that, but with a red tag in it! They were so impressed at the diversity of fishing at Dundee, finishing the day with not only barramundi in the esky, but golden snapper, jewfish, blue bone and giant trevally."
