Million Dollar Fish Season 10 kicks off with record-breaking catches

Million Dollar Fish Season 10 is off to a thrilling start, with anglers catching nine red-tagged barramundi in the first week — surpassing the previous record of five from Season 6 and matching the total number of fish caught in the whole of Season 9. Season 10 is shaping up to be one for the history books!

The whopping nine $10,000 tagged barra have been caught throughout the Top End, from Daly River and East Alligator River to Corroboree Billabong and McArthur River Crossing, Borroloola. The excited fishers are all locals from the Territory, including former winner Yo Thu Yar. He caught a massive 90cm barramundi on 3 October, at the same Daly River Crossing spot where he landed his $10,000 barra during Season 8.

Daly River Crossing has proven to be a goldmine for Season 10 winning catches with Antonios Mougros, De Lusy and Theofilis Vrondos each reeling in their prize-winning catch from the river system.

The shocked lucky winners are excited to put their prizemoney to good use. Some will donate part of their winnings while others plan to pay off debts and upgrade their cars, and fishing gear. So

far in Season 10, fishers have won $90,000 and $9,000 has been donated to our official charity partner, Cancer Council NT.

Antonios Mougros, who reeled in his 84cm catch on 2 October at Daly River Crossing, plans to split half his winnings with his best mate who was fishing beside him when he caught the barra.

Noah Faull, hooked his 70cm barra after several hours fishing on the East Alligator River with a work mate. After flicking fizzers the barra took the bite and put on a show, jumping into the air, before Noah bagged the catch. Noah was over the moon after learning he’d won $10,000 and hopes to do up his car and go on his first overseas holiday.

“It (the barra) was having a few jumps out of the water, it

was sick as, it put up a good little fight,” Noah said.

“I’m going to pay off my (car) loan, put it into my Hilux and get a little hunting rig up and going. I’ll be sorted, no more debt. I’ve got Bali coming up too, it’s my first time going overseas, I’m keen as.”

“Just get out there have a crack, you can’t catch fish if you haven’t a got a line in the water. You gotta be in it to win it.”

Lydia Hebb hooked her red-tagged fish at Corroboree Billabong at 11.30pm, Saturday 5 October. Hitting the water as preparation for a fishing competition she got more than she bargained for after the 66cm fish took the lure. She hopes to spend a bit of the winnings on fishing and boating gear, support herself as she does a university placement and put some into savings.

“It was pretty good fishing. There were a few fish that we saw coming through on the sounder, and Lachie (her partner) had caught a few fish,” Lydia said.

“I saw one come through, just flicked at it, and somehow landed straight in front of its nose, and it just boofed it straight away. It was a good fight, and it jumped right at the boat and we saw the tag in the light, ‘I was like, Lachie quickly net this fish’.”

Jaida Anderson, reeled in her 72cm fish at McArthur River Crossing, Borroloola on 3 October. Due to her remote location, her tag was flown to Darwin on an Airnorth plane to be verified.

“We were late night fishing and we just reeled in a barra and we didn’t know it had a tag, then was saw it, and then got all excited,” Jaida said.

“That was just a lucky night for us.”

There are still 90 barramundi with $10,000 tags. There are also 10 fish carrying a tag worth a million bucks – made up of nine fish from Season 9 and one from Season 10.

Sportsbet NT Operations and Partnerships Manager Thijs Bors said:“Sportsbet is thrilled to see the first week catch record broken with so many winners bagging a $10,000 tagged barra.”

“It’s crazy to see how strong the competition has started with $90,000 paid to winners and $9000 donated to official charity partner Cancer Council NT in just seven days.”

Cancer Council NT CEO Tanya Izod said we are very excited to see so many fish caught so early in the season.

“Congratulations to the lucky anglers who reeled in the tagged barramundi within the first week!”

“Cancer Council NT benefits from every fish caught throughout Season 10 and means we can continue our lifesaving work in the Territory and educating Territorians on the importance of being SunSmart.”

Season 10 of the Million Dollar Fish competition runs from 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025. To claim any prize money from a tagged fish, you must be registered for Season 10 of Million Dollar Fish. This also automatically enters you into the monthly giveaway draw. Register now for free.