Joseph King from Marrakai lands red tagged barra in Million Dollar Fish competition

A Territory angler danced in celebration when he and his partner realised they had snagged a $10,000 red-tagged barra while doing a bit of late night fishing. Read how he reeled it in.

Joseph King is the 15th angler to snag a $10k barra in Season 11 of the Million Dollar Fish.

A Territory angler danced in celebration when he and his partner realised they had snagged a $10,000 red-tagged barra while doing a bit of late night fishing.

Joseph King from Marrakai was night fishing at Corroboree boat ramp on November 19 when he reeled in the prized 65cm catch.

He didn’t initially realise the barra in his hands had a red tag until his partner suggested taking a few photos.

It was then she noticed the tag sparking an instant celebration on the boat ramp as the pair danced with joy and the sheer shock kept him awake a good while after.

“We just started dancing. I’m holding the fish, dancing on the boat ramp,” King said.

“I couldn’t sleep when I got home, I was that excited.”

King is a commercial fisherman but couldn’t believe his luck to have landed the $10k prize giving fish on his day off, which he plans to put toward a new car.

Joseph King is the 15th angler to snag a $10k barra in Season 11 of the Million Dollar Fish.

So far, Season 11 has paid out $160,000 in prize money for 15 fishos including King, with official charity partner Surf Life Saving NT receiving $16,000, through donations tied to each $10,000 catch.

There are still 85 red-tagged barramundi worth $10,000 swimming in Top End waterways and 11 tagged fish carrying a life-changing $1 million tag, nine from Season 9, one from Season 10, and one from Season 11.

As Australia’s richest fishing competition, Million Dollar Fish continues to attract keen anglers from across the country and the Territory to the Top End.

They arrive to chance their luck at becoming a millionaire with just one cast, confirming the event’s status as a major tourism drawcard.

The season continues until March 31.

Originally published as Joseph King from Marrakai lands red tagged barra in Million Dollar Fish competition