Top End fisherman bags his third $10,000 catch

One Top End angler has struck fortune for a third time, bagging his third $10k barra. Read more to learn what his secret is.

A Top End local has reeled in his third $10,000 barra since the Million Dollar Fish series began nine seasons ago.

Fishing enthusiast Jack Daly, 35, from Daly River, reeled in the 58cm barra at Daly River Crossing on Friday.

Mr Daly said he didn’t expect the fortune.

“I thought I’d never catch any this year but the water came up a little bit and then started dropping again and then I caught this on the crossing,” Mr Daly said.

“I go fishing nearly every night, or when I get the chance to if I’m not working at night, I’ll go fishing – that’s just something I love doing every day or every night anyway when it’s nice and cool.”

Mr Daly said “consistency” was the secret to striking fortune.

“The key is consistency – if you keep fishing every night, anything could happen, you know?” he said.

“That’s all it takes just a bit of time fishing at night or day, and you’ll never know you’ll get a red tag.”

Before Mr Daly’s kids could submit their revised Christmas wish list, the fortunate fisherman donated $1000 to Riding for the Disabled Association Top End.

The jackpot reel caught the attention of Chief Minister Natasha Fyles.

“Jack is one lucky angler and this a great early Christmas present,” Ms Fyles said.

“There are so many ways to win with Million Dollar Fish – as well as barra worth $10,000 or a million dollars, there is also the Fishmas campaign running until 12 December, which sees amazing prizes given away every day.”

There remain 92 red-tagged $10,000 barra, plus 12 barra sporting the big million-dollar tags.