Expert tips on how to catch Sydney’s $1 million kingfish

A hook, line and sinker might be all you need to catch Sydney million-dollar kingfish — but it will help to know where to look.

There’s plenty of fish in the sea but a hook, line and sinker might be all you need to catch a million-dollar kingfish.

The Daily Telegraph revealed on Wednesday the seven-figure fish would be released into Sydney Harbour during the proposed Harbour of Life festival, which would reinvigorate the Western Harbour and generate up to $7 million for the NSW economy.

Ben Buckland and Nicola Muddle hold a Kingfish like the one that will be tagged and released in Sydney Harbour as part of the million dollar fish promotion. Picture: Toby Zerna

Harbour of Life organisers plan to release the tagged fish between Barangaroo and Pyrmont, with the lucky angler who nets the kingfish set to be paid $1 million.

Western Harbour Alliance chairman Geoff Parmenter said a whole shoal of kingfish would likely be released to make the hunt more challenging and a strict time limit would be set for anglers.

“The thinking is we’ll have a number of kingfish, one with the million dollar tag and several others with smaller prices including $5,000 and $10,000,” Mr Parmenter said.

“We’re hoping this is something which could become an annual event … we’ll probably release them early one Saturday morning in Cockle Bay during the festival and fishermen would have the weekend to catch them.”

Native to Australia, kingfish can be found in both shallow and deep water.

Chefs Federico Zanellato (left) and Chase Kojima (right). They want to be part of a festival celebrating Sydney Harbour that will focus on fish. Picture: Toby Zerna

For hopefuls who are new to casting out a line, Daily Telegraph fishing expert Al McGlashan has shared his top tips for hooking the prize-winning catch.

Mr McGlashan said while “anyone” could give it a go, the hunt could easily become a needle in the haystack and being in the right place at the right time could be key.

He said punters could find kingfish as far west as Gladesville on the Parramatta River but the harbour was a sure spot to net a winner.

“The million-dollar fish won’t have trouble lying low, kingfish are in peak season right now and there’s heaps in Sydney Harbour and surrounds to catch off rocks or on boats,” Mr McGlashan said.

“Some areas do get busy, like White Bay or Barangaroo, but Goat Island is always a good spot, and you’ll have more luck anywhere when the light or tide changes.”

A Sculptures In The Sea exhibition like this one in Hong Kong is also planned.

Mr McGlashan said squid was a sure way to get bites from kingfish but told anglers to “hold on tight” if they hook one.

He said fishermen should make sure to have a strong rod for big catches to avoid any breaks caused by the “aggressive” fish.

“Kingfish respond to burley but squid is key. If you’ve got it fresh they’ll go mad for it,” he said.

“They’ll fight like anything once you hook them, they’ll charge down into the reef and bust your line or your rod.

“So use a circle hook, draw up gently at first and then once you’ve got it hooked, game on and hang on tight.”

AL’S TIPS FOR CATCHING $1 MILLION KINGFISH
* Try Sydney Harbour and surrounding waterways

* Try fishing when the light or tide changes

* Use squid as bait

* Bring a sturdy rod

* Pull up lightly, don’t yank the rod until it’s hooked

* Hang on tight!

MORE NEWS