Alastair Lau becomes 12th $10,000 winner of Million Dollar Fish Season 10
Third time was the charm for a lucky Territory fisho who reeled in the 12th winning red-tagged barra. Find out how he caught it.
Northern Territory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News.
It was third time lucky for the Territory’s latest lucky fisho, who reeled in the latest $10,000 barra during a late-night fishing trip.
Alastair Lau was at Yellow Waters with his partner Bronwyn Loud and their eight-month old child in the early hours of October 17 when he reeled in an 86cm, $10,000 red-tagged fish.
He spotted the hint of red underneath some algae, which he initially though was some reeds stuck to the fish.
With a four-day trip planned, the young family opted to stay out at Yellow Waters to continue fishing in the hope they’d reel in another prize-winning catch.
It’s the third red-tagged barra Mr Lau has caught, but only the first he’s been able to cash in.
His first was years ago on the East Alligator River when he actually released a barra, but only saw the red tag after the fish rolled over and swam away.
Then, in 2020, at the Finniss River, he hooked a red-tagged barra and called it in, only to be told it was August and out of season.
Mr Lau said he was overjoyed to finally have a confirmed catch after so many years.
“It’s always been a bit of a thing to go out and have a bit of a go for the mighty Million Dollar Fish, and it’s actually happened this year, so super stoked about that,” Mr Lau said.
“Third time’s a charm, don’t throw it back, and on time. Nothing goes off the brag mat or even starts to shift towards the side of the boat until it’s been thoroughly combed over for a tag.”
There are now 87 red-tagged $10,000 fish and 10 fish with a million-dollar tag for Season 10.
Each season the competition sees red-tagged barramundi released in Darwin, Katherine, Arnhem Land, Kakadu and Tiwi Islands waterways.
NT Major Events Company Acting chief executive Trevor Cox said the competition continued to make a splash so early into the season.
“The Million Dollar Fish competition is making a splash, with 12 fish already reeled in just weeks after it began,” he said.
“Fishing fans are encouraged to book their holidays to the Top End for the fishing trip of a lifetime, with the barra biting, now is the time to come up and be a part of the action.”
As the official charity partner, Cancer Council NT receives $1000 for every $10k tagged fish caught, bringing the total contribution to the charity to $12k so far.
Register for free at www.milliondollarfish.com.au.
Plea for caution as devastating cost of Territory fire season revealed
With the Northern Territory’s bushfire season in full swing, a peak pastoral-sector leader has called for assistance identifying suspicious blazes and the perpetrators who light them.
Commonwealth guilty of Kakadu sacred site ‘violation’
Kakadu custodians share their grief over a sacred site breach which has closed a beloved waterfall for five years. ‘I want that spirit of my ancestors to be happy’.