Season 11 of Million Dollar Fish (MDF) is off to a flying start, with a Darwin local reeling in the first $10,000 barra on the very first day of Australia’s richest fishing competition.
Local angler Russell Kenny was fishing with his grandson at Corroboree Lagoon when what began as a casual school holiday outing turned into a catch they’ll never forget. Kenny landed a 71cm barramundi carrying a red tag worth $10,000.
A long-time competitor, Kenny has registered for Million Dollar Fish every year since the competition began in 2015 – proving that persistence pays off.
“We were just casting soft plastics in the lilies and what not. The young bloke got a small one, and then I picked up that [red-tag] one,” Kenny said.
“I didn’t see the tag straight away. It came away from the lilies and the grandson said, ‘Pa, it’s got a tag in it!’”
The experienced fishing guide, with 25 years under his belt, said the windfall has come at the perfect time.
“We’re going away at Christmas time so that will help with that” he said.
True to his passion, Kenny is already planning his next fishing trip, hoping to hook the ultimate prize – the million-dollar barra.
As part of the prize, MDF’s official charity partner Surf Life Saving NT also benefits, receiving $1,000 thanks to Kenny’s catch.
But there are still plenty more fish in the water – with 99 red-tagged barramundi worth $10,000 still waiting to be caught, along with 11 carrying the life-changing $1 million tag.
Season 11 of Million Dollar Fish runs until 31 March 2026. To be eligible to claim any prize money, you must be registered. Registration is free and automatically puts you in the monthly prize draw.
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