Double the winnings as James gets two for the price of one

A departing Darwin angler will leave the Territory on a high after a big catch at the weekend. Read where he caught it.

A Darwin angler doubled his dough with just an hour to spare after catching a prized red-tag barramundi in Bynoe Harbour at the weekend.

James McWilliam trousered $20,000 after hooking an 82cm barra on a day’s fishing trip with mates at Bynoe near Crab Claw Island Resort.

Mr McWilliam, who works in Defence, said the outing was his farewell to the Territory.

“My mates at work said they’d take me out on a fishing trip as I’d just got a new posting to Sydney, and it’s always been on my bucket list to catch a barra,” he said.

“We weren’t having that much luck and two of my mates were making sandwiches when I snagged the barra. I could tell he was big and my mates coached me as I reeled it in. We didn’t see the red-tag until it was in the boat and we all went crazy. I was stoked. I’m still shaking.

“We decided to keep on fishing that afternoon and by the time we got back the tide was low, so we had to wait. We didn’t get back to Darwin until late, and I was about to go to bed when I thought I better ring the Million Dollar Fish line.

Million Dollar Fish winner James McWilliam.

“I’m so glad I did. I didn’t realise it was Double the Dough. I’m going to share my winnings with my mates, my mum and probably buy myself a new rod and some fishing gear.”

Supported by SportsBet, Million Dollar Fish sees prize-tagged barramundi released in waterways across Darwin, Kakadu, Tiwi Islands, Arnhem Land and Katherine.

SportsBet NT operations and partnerships manager Thijs Bors congratulated Mr McWilliam.

“With more red-tagged million dollar fish out there than ever before, the odds are definitely in the favour of the fishos this season,” Mr Bors said.

“Remember, there are still 11 million-dollar barra out there, and we can’t wait to give away the million.”

Mr McWilliam also gave $1000 to charity Starlight Children’s Foundation matched dollar-for-dollar by SportsBet.

Starlight NT manager Jesse Butler said she was grateful for the contribution.

“Starlight relies on community support to help us deliver happiness to sick kids in the Territory,” Ms Butler said. “We’re so grateful to be involved in million dollar fish again this year and thank James McWilliam for his thoughtful donation.”

Million dollar fish runs until March 31, 2024.

Originally published as Double the winnings as James gets two for the price of one