Avid fisho David Ashfield reels in $20,000 March Madness barra in Adelaide River

LEANYER resident David Ashfield has reeled in a red-tagged Million Dollar Fish worth a whopping $20,000, thanks to the competition’s special March Madness campaign

LEANYER resident David Ashfield has reeled in a red-tagged Million Dollar Fish worth a whopping $20,000, thanks to the competition’s special March Madness campaign.

Mr Ashfield caught the 65cm fish in the Adelaide River where he’s been fishing for more than 30 years.

To celebrate the final month of Season 6 of the competition, underwriter Sportsbet last month announced they will pay double the money to the first registered fisho who hooked a valid tagged fish this month.

Mr Ashfield is that fisho and takes home $20,000 instead of $10,000.

This is the 11th fish caught as part of Season 6, which has now paid out $115,000.

Mr Ashfield said he signed up for Million Dollar Fish every season but couldn’t believe he’d actually caught a tagged fish.

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“It was a pretty ordinary day out on the water with a mate,” he said.

“We dropped four or five fish each, which was a bit rough, and we were stoked to finally get a couple in the boat.

“It was a fairly standard fight to land the tagged fish, and while I was busy trying to remove the lure my mate suddenly started yelling ‘It’s got a red tag!’.

“I didn’t immediately understand what he was on about, then the penny dropped.

“Initially I thought I’d missed out by a week, as I was convinced the competition ended in February.

“But my mate disagreed, checked the website and confirmed the comp was still on. You beauty!”

Originally published as Avid fisho David Ashfield reels in $20,000 March Madness barra in Adelaide River