Daly River delivers another $10,000 barra

Lucky angler Darryl McLeod is celebrating after bagging a tagged barramundi worth $10,000 in the Million Dollar Fish competition. Darryl is the fifth fisho to win cash thanks to Australia’s richest fishing competition, underwritten by SportsBet. Darryl reeled in the prize-winning 89cm catch on Friday night while land-based fishing at Daly River Crossing, an iconic Top End fishing spot. He was fishing with partner Kaitlyn Ah Fat, who bagged herself a $10,000 fish in Season 6.

“I’ve registered for Million Dollar Fish every season, and when I pulled in a fish with a red tag I couldn’t believe it. I was pretty happy! I fish at this spot all the time and have been fishing since I was little, so it was good to finally land a tagged barra,” Darryl said.

There are still 95 fish worth $10,000 swimming around Top End waterways, plus eight chances to score the big one – a million bucks. That includes the Season 7 Million Dollar Fish, plus those released in previous seasons, which are still active. As soon as one of the fish carrying a million dollar tag is caught, the remaining seven turn into $10,000 fish.

Million Dollar Fish is delivered by the Northern Territory Government through Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC). NTMEC CEO Tim Watsford said the competition continues to deliver for fishos each year.

“We are less than two months into Season 7 of Million Dollar Fish and five lucky fishos have already landed themselves a $10,000 bonus. We’ve seen locals and tourists win, from boats, land-based fishing and a fishing charter. Any fisho really can win,” he said.

SportsBet External Affairs Manager Brad Fanning said you don’t even need to go fishing to win with Million Dollar Fish.

“As the major sponsor of the Million Dollar Fish competition, SportsBet is always thrilled when someone catches a tagged fish. And don’t forget – simply by registering you go into our Lucky Prize Pool, so you could win awesome prizes without even wetting a line,” he said.

For every $10,000 fish caught, the winning fisho can donate $1000 to the official Million Dollar Fish charity of their choice. Darryl chose Starlight Children’s Foundation, which supports the Darwin Star Ball. Darwin Star Ball Committee Chairman Justin Coleman welcomed the funds.

“We’re so excited to be a part of the Million Dollar Fish campaign again in 2021. Starlight has been there for sick kids throughout the challenges of the past 18 months. Only with the help of the local community can we continue to be there for sick kids in the NT when they need it most.”