Lucky six and seven red tags bagged over fish frenzy weekend

NT Government

6 December 2021

It’s been a busy few days for Territory fishos, with two red-tagged Million Dollar Fish Season 7 barramundi reeled in over the weekend. Underwritten by SportsBet, Million Dollar Fish is Australia’s richest fishing competition.

The first fish, a 64cm barramundi caught at Daly River on 4 December, will see Darwinite Tracy Coughlan take home a $10,000 bonus just in time for Christmas. In exciting news, Tracy is the first female angler to bag a Season 7 fish!

A self-confessed mad keen fisho, Tracy said she’ll be spending the cash on fishing tackle, mates and travel plans.

A day later, Territorian Manolis Zaroufis managed to reel in a red-tagged 72cm barramundi off the Cullen Bay pontoon. Worth $10,000, this particular fish was one of the 12 released in the Darwin region last month by Santa Claus as part of the Merry Fishmas campaign.

This season, every $10,000 fish caught sees an additional $1,000 donated to a Million Dollar Fish Official Charity Partner.

Starlight Children’s Foundation’s Darwin Star Ball will benefit from the latest Season 7 catches, receiving a cheque for $2,000.

With 105 prize-tagged barra worth $10,000 and eight fish worth a million bucks still up for grabs, there has never been a better time to explore the Top End’s fishing regions.

There’s still plenty of time to catch a red-tagged barra, with Season 7 coming to a close on 31 March 2022.

To claim a prize-tagged fish or be in the running to win fantastic prizes as part of the monthly Lucky Prize Pool, you must be registered. Registration is quick, easy and free – simply visit [https://www.milliondollarfish.com.au].

Quotes from Minister for Major Events Natasha Fyles:

“Season 7 of Million Dollar Fish is proving to be another big hit, with another two red-tagged barramundi reeled in over the weekend.

“I’d like to congratulate Tracy, our first female fisho of Season 7, and Manolis, the first to catch one of the 12 additional Christmas barra.

“It’s great to see so many anglers benefit from this iconic competition. Aside from supporting locals, Million Dollar Fish also helps put the NT on the map and provides a significant boost to our region by increasing interstate visitation.

“The chances of catching a Season 7 fish have never been higher, after Father Christmas delivered 12 additional barra into the Darwin region last month. There are now 11 left, get out there and wet a line.”

Quotes from SportsBet External Affairs Manager Brad Fanning:

“These two catches are particularly exciting – our first female winner of the season and the first of the 12 additional Christmas barra now in the bag.

“Million Dollar Fish is off to a cracking start, and with plenty of tagged fish and time remaining for Season 7 there has never been a better time to go fishing in the Northern Territory.

“The great thing about Million Dollar Fish is that any fisho can win the mill. I’d encourage everyone to get out there and try bag yourself a prize-tagged barra just in time for Christmas!”

Quotes from winning fisho Tracy Coughlan:

“It took me a while to register it had a red tag in the barra, we were so excited when we realised! The cash will come in very handy.

“Only five minutes before I got the red tag I’d reeled in part of a barra after a shark got it, so we were lucky to bag the $10,000 fish.

“I look forward to spending the money on restocking the tackle box, and will also give some cash to my skipper. I’m also keen to visit family in WA when I can, so will put some towards travel.”

Quotes from winning fisho Manolis Zaroufis:

“Words can’t express how excited I was to reel in the red-tagged barra. I was out fishing with two of my mates at Cullen Bay – when I reeled it in we jokingly said to each other to check for a tag and sure enough, there was one!

“I think I’ll spoil myself with the prize money for Christmas, and perhaps get some new fishing equipment.

“This is the first time I’ve registered for Million Dollar Fish, as I’ve only just turned 18, but I’ve been fishing for years. I’m born and bred in Darwin, I’ve always loved fishing and go out almost every day.”

Quotes from Starlight Children’s Foundation National Events Manager Danielle White:

“We are so grateful to Manolis, Tracy and all those involved with the 2021 Million Dollar Fish Campaign.

“All funds raised from this campaign will go towards helping Starlight Children’s Foundation deliver happiness to sick kids in the Top End, at a time when they need it most.

Northern Territory Government

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