Ripper Weekend for Million Dollar Fish

For the first time in the competition’s history, three tagged barra have been caught in the first week of Million Dollar Fish Season 6 seeing $35,000 in cash prizes going to eager Territory fishos.

Minister for Tourism, Hospitality, and Major Events, Natasha Fyles said “The season has barely commenced and we’re already handing out cheques to keen anglers. Here’s hoping the winning streak continues."

Territorian Jamie Poniris was the first to hook onto a Season 6 red-tagged barra while holidaying at Kakadu National Park using a Territory Tourism voucher.  

The 57.5cm barra was caught at Yellow Water just hours after the competition commenced on 1 October, with winnings anticipated to go towards his brother’s upcoming bucks night later this month.  

“I didn’t want to get too excited when I first saw the tag in case it wasn’t a winner. When I found out it was legit, I couldn’t believe it – the chances of catching a tagged fish are so slim." said Ponsiris. 

The second red-tagged barra was reeled in by Karama resident Wilfredo Riddick near the Nightcliff Jetty on Saturday, 3 October.

Measuring 56cm in length, the $10,000 barra was released by the Minister for Tourism, Hospitality and Major Events Natasha Fyles at the Nightcliff Boat Ramp just last week. 

Mr Riddick said of his win “I’ve always registered for Million Dollar Fish and get out fishing most weekends – I figured I would get hold of a red-tagged fish eventually.”

The first Double Tag Barra was hooked on Sunday by ‘stoked’ Queenslander Ryan Curtis, which measured a huge 98cm in length, caught on the Mary River.

The Mackay resident whose parents own Reidy’s Lures used a Reidy’s custom vibe to hook the lucrative prize earning him a huge $10,000 and $5,000 to give to a mate who’s had a tough year. 

“I’ve been up here about five or six times fishing over the past 15 years – I just love it. I look forward to spending the cash on an electric motor to go and catch more barra.” said Mr Curtis.

Million Dollar Fish Season 6 is the biggest to date, with seven $1 million barra swimming in Territory waterways, along with 98 red-tagged fish worth $10,000 remaining. The Season 6 runs from 1 October 2020 until 31 March 2021.

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