Fisho fights off croc to bag $10,000 barra

Territorian Brian Ahrens has found himself $10,000 richer after hooking a Million Dollar Fish Season 6 red-tagged barramundi on Friday morning – while fighting off a crocodile.

Within half an hour of launching his boat at Bridge Lagoon, the local man was reeling in a 68cm barra with a 2m saltwater croc in hot pursuit.

With no one else to help him net the prized catch or distract the hungry salty, Mr Ahrens said he was lucky to get the barra in the boat in one piece.

“A croc seemed very interested in him and had a bit of a go at the fish. As I wound him in I saw the croc on the surface chasing it,” he said.“I was so excited when I saw the red tag, but trying to land it by myself was a bit of a challenge – I was glad to eventually get it in the boat!”

The long-time Territorian said the $10,000 would be useful to help pay off his mortgage.

Northern Territory Major Events Company CEO Tim Watsford said he couldn’t be happier with how successful Million Dollar Fish Season 6 has been so far, with seven fishos catching prize-tagged barramundi in just the first month of the competition.

“I’d like to congratulate Humpty Doo local Brian Ahrens on reeling in his prized catch all while competing with one of Bridge Lagoon’s hungry salties,” he said.

SportsBet External Affairs Manager Brad Fanning said this is the biggest and best season of Million Dollar Fish so far.

“Australia’s richest fishing competition keeps getting better and better each year, so get out there and wet a line for the chance to become a millionaire,” he said.

Million Dollar Fish Season 6 only launched a month ago, and already seven tagged fish have been caught.

A total of $75,000 in prize money has been won by registered participants across the Territory and Australia.

There are still five months to go as part of Million Dollar Fish Season 6, with 94 $10,000 barra remaining in the competition.

In addition, there are seven $1 million barra (if the $1 million fish is caught, the remaining six turn into $10,000 fish) and four Double-Tagged Barra worth $10,000 to the lucky fisho and $5,000 to their mate.

There are also 20 $5,000 charity fish yet to be caught, which will see $2,500 awarded to the angler and $2,500 to the winner’s Million Dollar Fish affiliated charity of choice.

Registered participants of Million Dollar Fish also go in the Lucky Prize Pool, with thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes to be won each month.To register for the chance to become a millionaire, go to www.milliondollarfish.com.au.