Lucky fisho Nicole Soltesz has pocketed herself $20,000 after hooking a Million Dollar Fish Season 8 red-tagged barramundi. Carrying a $10,000 red tag, the fish was worth double the money as part of a National Gone Fishing Day promotion, with competition underwriter SportsBet pledging to ‘Double the Dough’ for any fish caught on Sunday, 9 October.
Nicole was out fishing with friends at Hardies Lagoon when she reeled in the 62cm prize-tagged fish – her first ever barramundi! The Darwin resident said she’d put some of the winnings towards a holiday, and the rest away in a savings account for now.
There has never been a better time to register for Australia’s richest fishing competition and wet a line in the Territory, with prize-tagged fish swimming in waterways across the Top End.
Participating anglers have the chance to bag one of the remaining 98 $10,000 barra, with two caught so far. Each time a $10,000 fish is caught, an extra $1,000 is donated to one of the official Million Dollar Fish charities, as nominated by the lucky angler. SportsBet doubled the charity money for this fish, and Nicole decided to give the $2,000 to the Starlight Children’s Foundation.
Million Dollar Fish Season 8 opened on 1 October 2022 and runs through until 31 March 2023. To be eligible for any prize money, anglers must have registered for Season 8. By doing so, participants go into the monthly Lucky Prize Pool, which includes thousands of dollars’ worth of incredible prizes such as holidays, flights, and fishing and camping equipment.
For more info and to register, visit [https://www.milliondollarfish.com.au].
Quotes from Minister for Major Events, Paul Kirby:
“Million Dollar Fish is off to a ripping start, with two lucky fishos already winning big. The National Gone Fishing Day promotion was awesome, with heaps of people out on the water trying to hook a red-tagged barra!
“We’re incredible lucky to live in such a unique part of Australia that offers some of the world’s best barramundi fishing. Million Dollar Fish plays an important role in driving tourism and bringing interstaters – which is also great for business.”
Quotes from SportsBet NT Operations and Partnerships Manager Thijs Bors:
“We’re thrilled to see a fisho cash in through our ‘Double the Dough’ campaign. I’d like to congratulate Darwinite Nicole Soltesz on her prized catch, which will see her take home a huge $20,000.
“With more red-tagged Million Dollar Fish out there than ever before, the odds are definitely in the fisho’s favour.
“It’s prime time for barra fishing at the moment, so I’d encourage as many people as possible to register for Australia’s richest fishing competition and explore our world-class fishing regions for the chance to score a million bucks!”
Quotes from winning fisho Nicole Soltesz:
“I don’t go fishing very often so definitely wasn’t expecting it. It was a big surprise, we all looked at each other in shock when we saw the red tag!
“I’ll spend some of the winnings on a holiday and put the rest away for another time.”
Quotes from Star Ball Committee Chairman, Justin Coleman:
“We’re so thankful to Nicole Soltesz and all those involved with Million Dollar Fish Season 8.
“Starlight provides vital hospital programs in the Northern Territory for our sick kids.
“Only with the help of the local community can we continue to bring the gift of joy, fun and laughter, helping to create brighter and healthier futures for our kids, families and communities.”
Northern Territory Government
