Australia’s richest fishing competition, Million Dollar Fish, continues to deliver, with James Quinn the latest lucky angler to reel in $10,000 by catching a tagged fish as part of Season 7 of the competition. Underwritten by SportsBet, Million Dollar Fish sees a number of tagged fish, including some worth a million dollars, released across the Territory’s five main fishing spots – Darwin, Katherine, Tiwi Islands, Kakadu and Arnhem Land.
James caught his barra at Cahills Crossing, the point where Kakadu and Arnhem Land meet. It is an iconic Territory spot and world famous thanks to the large number of crocodiles that gather there to feed on barra. James lives in Gunbalanya, where he works for AFL NT. He was land-based fishing with mates when he bagged the red-tagged beauty.
“This is a unique part of the world where the sandstone escarpments of Kakadu meet the wetlands, and the local indigenous population has a strong connection to the land and know all the best fishing spots,” James said. “I caught the tagged fish on my first cast. It got caught up in a snag, so I had to free-spool the line and let it swim out before I got it.”
Any fisho who lands a Season 7 $10k fish gets to donate an additional $1000 to the Million Dollar Fish-affiliated charity of their choice. James chose Cancer Council NT. Million Dollar Fish is supported by the Northern Territory Government and delivered by Northern Territory
Major Events Company (NTMEC).
“The Territory is full of incredible fishing spots, and Cahills Crossing is one of the most famous,” NTMEC CEO Tim Watsford said. “As well as bagging an iconic Territory barra at
Cahills, time your visit right and you can catch saltwater crocodiles lining up to feast on delicious barra. This is a must for any visitor to the Territory. There are still 100 Season 7 $10,000 fish waiting to be caught, plus eight big ones worth a million dollars.”
SportsBet External Affairs Manager Brad Fanning said the catch was a timely reminder to register for Million Dollar Fish.
“To claim any prize money you must be registered,” he said. “Million Dollar Fish Season 7 runs from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022, but the eight million dollar tags remain active yearround. As soon as one of those eight is caught, the remaining seven turn into $10,000 fish
that are valid during the official season.”
Registering enters you into the Lucky Prize Pool, which includes prizes such as a Great Northern Breakaway Trip, Anaconda vouchers, Engel goodies and Shimano Fishing Packs. Registrations close on 31 March 2022. Register for free at www.milliondollarfish.com.au.