Alex's Column 19 March 2026
- 44 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Million Dollar Fish Season 11 winds up this month, and it does so with a bang thanks to the Reel Of Fortune spin landing on “Size Matters”.
“Size Matters” means the fisho who catches the biggest Season 11 Sportsbet‑tagged $10k barra in March will win $100,000.
However, if two or more Season 11 fish are the same size, the prize money will be shared equally among the winners.
As well, Million Dollar Fish partner Sportsbet has confirmed a $10,000 donation to Surf Life Saving NT, recognising the charity’s ongoing contribution to the Territory community.
The Reel of Fortune is a new initiative for Season 11, delivering monthly incentives and bonus challenges through to the end of the season in March 2026, adding even more excitement to Australia’s richest fishing competition.
There are still 82 red‑tagged $10,000 barramundi swimming in Top End waterways, along with 11 fish carrying the life‑changing $1 million tag — nine from Season 9, one from Season 10 and one from Season 11.
Million Dollar Fish continues to lure anglers from across Australia to the Top End, cementing itself as a major tourism drawcard and a showcase of the Territory’s world‑class fishing.
Sportsbet’s Head of Operations NT, Thijs Bors, said:
“What a way to finish Season 11, with $100,000 up for grabs for the biggest $10,000 red‑tagged barra caught in March.
“With more than 80 red‑tagged $10k fish still out there, and 11 carrying the life‑changing $1 million tag, there’s never been a better time to hit the water and cast a line.”
Thijs is right on the money there, especially as every season since March became an eligible month to catch a winning red-tagged barra, at least one has been caught.
That’s most likely because March is usually the peak Runoff fishing month, so there are a lot more fishos out there casting a lure.
Hopefully, at least one red-tagged barra will be caught by the end of the month, and the 100K goes off.
We just need the rains to stop now and the rivers to start falling quickly.
Although we don’t know where all 101 tagged barra were released, we do know that there have been an amazing 18 recaptures, so wetting a line where these fish were caught is a good start.
Season 11 Red-tagged Recaptures to Date:
1. Russell Kenny 1/10/25 71cm caught at Corroboree Billabong
2. Otto Kainulainen 2/10/25 81.5cm caught at Fisherman’s Wharf
3. Jamie Poniris 3/10/25 76cm caught at Bridge Billabong
4. Leah Petterson 5/10/25 73cm caught at East Alligator River
5. James Arratta 7/10/25 85cm caught at Bridge Billabong
6. Colin Carthew 20/10/25 80cm caught at Middle Arm, Darwin Harbour
7. Kimberley Heming 23/10/25 65cm caught at Dundee Beach
8. Harold Mees 24/10/25 66cm caught at Yellow Water, Kakadu
9. Barry Matthews 25/10/25 99cm caught at Daly River Crossing
10. David Foster-King 28/10/25 63cm caught at Borroloola
11. Loren Hanton 2/11/2025 63cm caught at Yellow Water, Kakadu
12. Darren Kenny 8/11/2025 72cm caught at Hardies Lagoon
13. Shane Taylor 10/11/2025 63cm caught at Daly River
14. Jesse Wansbrough 10/11/2025 77cm caught at Borroloola
15. Joseph King 19/11/2025 65cm caught at Corroboree Boat Ramp
16. Raylene Roberts 18/11/2025 57cm caught at Roper River
17. Scott Olsen 20/12/2025 59cm Daly River Bamboo Creek
18. Chloe Frost 21/12/2025 76cm Charles Point on Cox Peninsula
Season 11 of Million Dollar Fish runs until 31 March. Registration is free, and anglers must be over 18 to be eligible for all cash prizes and monthly bonuses.
Register now at milliondollarfish.com.au.
