Darwin men catch $10k barras in opening days of Million Dollar Fish season 10

Two Darwin men are celebrating after reeling in $10k barramundis just days after the launch of the Million Dollar Fish competition.

Bing Quan Mo, (a.k.a. Ken) and Theo Vrondos have each caught a $10k Barra within within days of season 10 kicking off. Picture: Supplied.

Two men have snagged $10,000 tagged barras just days after the 10th season of the Million Dollar Fish competition was launched.

On Thursday afternoon, Darwin’s Bing Quan Mo, otherwise known as Ken, and Theo Vrondos were revealed as the first lucky winners of this season’s competition.

Ken, the first official winner of the season, caught his lucky barra on the opening day of the competition, October 1, after a dedicated evening of catching live bait and fishing at Buffalo Creek boat ramp.

Bing Quan Mo, (a.k.a. Ken) is the first official winner of season 10. Picture: Supplied.

However, it was only when he was home cleaning his 61cm catch that he noticed the red tag.

“I have been fishing for a long time, and registered every year,” he said.

“I have never caught a red-tagged barra.”

Ken has been fishing in the Territory 20 years.

“I am so excited, I may go home and visit my elderly mum in China,” he said.

“This barra will be the best tasting fish.”

The next day, Mr Vrondos reeled in the most valuable fish he’s ever caught at 4.15pm at Daly River.

“I can’t believe it; my wife was in shock, because we’ve never won anything in my life,” he said.

“It was hard to sleep last night.”

Theo Vrondos says he was looking for live bait before his brother-in-law urged him to cast a line for Barra. Picture: Supplied.

The lucky winner credited his brother-in-law as having a role to play in the 76cm catch.

“I was looking for live bait, and my brother-in-law told me to stop stuffing around and gave me a lure to start casting,” he said.

“I mainly go deep-sea fishing, or hunting. I never go barra fishing. I don’t even own a barra rod.”

Both men announced they planned to take an overseas family trip, with Ken excited to visit his 90-year old mother in China, while Mr Vrondos will take his wife and sons on a holiday.

NT Major Events Company acting chief executive Trevor Cox said it was a great way to kick off the season.

“I’m delighted to see two of the $10,000 prizes go off and I’d like to offer my congratulations to Theo and Ken,” he said.

“We are lucky to have some of the country’s best fishing right here in our backyard, and we’re likely to see plenty more fishos hook onto red-tagged barra throughout Season 10 of this iconic competition.”

There remain 97 $10k barramundi waiting to be caught, as well as 10 fish carrying a tag worth $1 million.

Originally published as Darwin men catch $10k barras in opening days of Million Dollar Fish season 10