It’s Oh-FISH-IAL: First $10k fish caught off Stokes Hill Wharf

A Territorian is $10,000 richer after reeling in a red-tagged barramundi from Stokes Hill Wharf.

TERRITORIAN Anthony Patsalou is $10,000 richer after reeling in a red-tagged barramundi from Stokes Hill Wharf as part of Million Dollar Fish Season 7.

The lucky fisho decided to wet a line off the wharf after dinner when he caught the lucrative 67cm barra on December 21.

The Karama resident said he looked forward to spoiling his family, paying off a few bills and enjoying a holiday with his winnings.

This red-tagged barra is not the first Mr Patsalou has caught, after bagging a $10,000 fish at Adelaide River in November of 2018 during Season 4. The latest prize-tagged fish is also the first ever caught off Stokes Hill Wharf in the history of Million Dollar Fish.

For every $10,000 fish caught, the winning fisho can donate $1000 to the official Million Dollar Fish charity of their choice. Mr Patsalou chose Shoreline, an NT organisation that cultivates educational programs and employment pathways to create sustainable careers for young Indigenous Australians.

Mr Patsalou said he was stoked when he reeled in the red tag saying: “I actually started crying – I couldn’t believe it”.

$10,000 Cullen Bay catch

A QUIET morning at Cullen Bay has turned into a $10,000 catch for Danilo Mallari.

He and his family had planned to go fishing about two hours out of town but a last-minute change of heart meant he was in the right place at the right time.

“My son said he didn’t want to drive that far so we came here,” Mr Mallari said.

The spot beneath the ferry jetty is a regular for the family who reeled in the 85cm fish.

Other fishos said they could see the barramundi’s scales glinting as it took the bait and knew it was going to be a big one.

“It took the line under the jetty, but it wasn’t too hard to reel in. Just a little step back and then forward and in it came,” Mr Mallari said.

“We didn’t even know it had the tag in it at first and then we turned it over and there it was. I was pretty nervous and excited.”

The fish is confirmed as the same one Tourism Minster Natasha Fyles released at the Darwin Ski Club just one week ago.

Mr Mallari’s catch is the second of the Million Dollar Fish competition now in it’s seventh season.

Palmerston fisho $10k richer after reeling in first Million Dollar Fish

PALMERSTON fisho Reece Prior reeled the first of tagged barra as part of the Million Dollar Fish competition.

He is now $10,000 richer after snagging the barramundi while fishing off the banks of the Daly River with his mate Zenon Theodorou.

The pair had a pact that they would share the cash if either of them won.

Mr Prior said he would use his half to add upgrades to his new boat.

Those looking to hook a tagged barra still have 99 chances.

For every $10,000 fish caught, an extra $1000 is donated to one of the official Million Dollar Fish charities, as nominated by the winning fisho.

Mr Prior chose the Starlight Children’s Foundation’s Darwin Star Ball.

Major Events Minister Natasha Fyles congratulated Mr Prior on hooking the fish.

“Million Dollar Fish is a great initiative that has helped cement the Territory’s reputation as the best place in the world to stay, play and fish,” she said.

It helps attract visitors keen to try their hand at catching a prize-tagged fish, and encourages Territorians to get out on the water.

“Independent research shows Season 6 of Million Dollar Fish generated an economic benefit of $41.3 million for the Territory.”

SportsBet External Affairs manager Brad Fanning said they were thrilled to hand out the first $10,000 cheque.

“Remember, there are 99 $10,000 fish still out there, plus eight chances to land the Million Dollar Fish,” he said.

“Across the course of the competition we have now released a Million Dollar Fish in each of the five regions – Darwin, Kakadu, Katherine, Arnhem Land and Tiwi Islands. This is the greatest fishing comp in Australia, if not the world, and we’re hoping someone will reel in the big one during Season 7.”

Originally published as It’s Oh-FISH-IAL: First $10k fish caught off Stokes Hill Wharf