Eighth $10,000 Barra
50-50 with his friend Pete Turner
The Chinese New Year has proved to be lucky for two Darwin fishermen who have reeled in the eighth $10,000 prize tagged barramundi in the NT Government’s Million Dollar Fish competition.
The number eight is considered the luckiest in Chinese culture and may well become Shaymus Frewen’s favourite number after he reeled in the tagged 68 centimetre barra at Bynoe Harbour yesterday afternoon.
“We had to do a double-take when we saw the red tag we couldn’t believe it, it took a little while to sink in,” said Mr Frewen.
Honouring a fisherman’s pact, Mr Frewen said he’ll be splitting the cash prize 50-50 with his friend Pete Turner, whose boat the pair was on at the time. But, he’s not the only friend set to benefit from the winning catch.
“We said from day one the rules of the boat were whoever is on the boat we’ll split the prize between them,” said Mr Frewin.
“The fishing rod that I used to catch the fish belongs to a mate so he’ll be getting 10 per cent too. So he’s getting $1,000 just for having a rod on a boat so he’s pretty stoked about it too.”
Mr Frewen said both fishos plan on using their winnings to buy more fishing gear and “they’ll be out on the water for another crack” this weekend. As for the prize fish, it’s destined for the BBQ tonight where the friends intend to celebrate their lucky catch over a few beers.
Tourism NT CEO Tony Mayell said anglers had just three more weeks to land more prized fish, with the Million Dollar Fish competition ending on 29 February.
“It’s incredible to see eight of the tagged fish have been caught so far and just goes to show all you have to do is wet a line and you could go home a winner,” he said.
“The Northern Territory is the best place in the world to stay, play and fish and now is the perfect time to book a fishing holiday to the Northern Territory – it could leave you a million dollars richer.”
CrownBet, the underwriter of the cash prizes have now paid $80,000 after a second prize barra was landed inside the past week and Matt Tripp, CEO CrownBet, said he was delighted to see another winner.
“The Fishos are reeling them in now after the rains. Congratulations to Shaymus and his mate, that was a great catch from the Bynoe Harbour and it’s fantastic to hear these blokes will split the prize fair and square.
It will be a crazy ride over the final 21-days of Million Dollar Fish and we’re a little anxious the $1,000,000 fish will get landed,” said Mr Tripp.
