Million Dollar Fish competition kicks off in the Northern Territory

IT COULD be eaten by a crocodile, or it could win you a million bucks. Is this the most Australian competition ever?

Darwin local Kelli Carroll with her $10,000 barramundi.

IT COULD be eaten by a crocodile, or it could win you a million bucks.

This month, Tourism NT released 101 prize-tagged barramundi into Top End waters for season two of its Million Dollar Fish campaign — and it’s off to a cracking start.

Two have now been reeled, and along with hooking some sumptuous barbecue meat, the winners each walked away with a whopping $10K cheque.

Kelli Carroll, the first woman to catch a winner in the competition, said it was a “fluke”.

“I was out fishing with a friend and I didn’t even notice the tag at first,” she said, adding she never expected to reel it in just 20 minutes from Darwin.

Darwin-based George Voukolos, who snagged his catch at the Daly River Crossing, said he was seconds away from throwing the fish back.

“I was just out at one of my regular fishing spots and didn’t even see the tag.”

Mr Voukolos has fished for 45 years, and said he snagged the winner a few hours after dark.

“There’s not much to hide these days,” he said, when asked for advice. “Just get out and do it. The Daly’s one of the best places, so any chance you get, do it.”

At this stage, the fish could be anywhere.

The Northern Territory’s waterways are beautiful in the off-season.

Barramundi live in freshwater and saltwater, and usually hide around branches and rocks.

They could just as easily be in the coastal waters of the Tiwi Islands, the mangroves of Arnhem Land, or somewhere down river in Katherine.

Unfortunately, it’s not just humans who think they’re delicious.

Aside from crocs, they’re also vulnerable to being eaten by other barramundi.

The Territory’s Minister for Tourism and Culture, Lauren Moss, says the competition is the perfect excuse for anglers to book a visit to the tropics.

“We know that fishing in the Territory is an unrivalled experience, and the chance to catch an iconic NT barramundi worth $1 million is the icing on the cake,” she said.

Last year’s competition caused a phenomenon, attracting 43,000 registrations from 62 countries — although more than half of them were Territorians.

The prize-winning fish were caught within 24 hours of each other.

Ten fish worth $10,000 were caught, with most bites happening in Darwin Harbour, the Daly River, Corroborree Billabong and Bynoe Harbour.

Even if you don’t know the first thing about throwing in a line, you can still win big.

Anyone who registers will be eligible to win $96,000 in monthly prizes, ranging from holiday packages to a camper trailer, fridge, fishing gear and beer.

The competition runs until the end of February.

With $1,980,000 worth of barramundi still at large, what are you waiting for?

Find out more at www.milliondollarfish.com.au.