Northern Territory Major Events Company
The third $10,000 tagged fish has been captured as part of Million Dollar Fish Season 5, with Territorian Daniel Klingner reeling in the prized catch off Mandorah Jetty.
Mr Klingner of Bees Creek and his brother Anthony Klingner from South Australia, also a keen angler who has visited the Top End numerous times to fish, decided to drive to Mandorah to wet a line off the jetty on Wednesday, 20 November. Little did they know they would bag a red-tagged Barramundi worth $10,000.
Although the self-confessed fishing fanatic’s catch did not have a $1 million tag attached to it, Mr Klingner said he was looking forward to putting the cash towards purchasing a boat so he could go on more fishing trips.
The lucrative 67cm Barra is the first to be caught through land-based fishing this season.
Data reveals the fish travelled approximately 14km to Mandorah, with records showing the Barra was initially tagged and released in West Arm Darwin Harbour.
In Season 5 of the Million Dollar Fish competition, 121 Barramundi have been tagged and released across the Territory including 100 carrying $10,000 cash prize tags and a further 20 purple-tagged Barra each worth $5,000 to be split between the angler and one of three Northern Territory-based charities.
For the first time in the competition, Season 5 has a staggering six prize-tagged Barramundi worth $1 million each, including a Season 5 tagged Million Dollar Fish and an additional five Barra with $1 million prize tags from Seasons 1 to 4.
Season 5 of the Million Dollar Fish competition runs from 1 October 2019 to 31 March 2020.
To be in the running to win a prized-tagged fish, register for the competition at
Participants will also go into the draw for more than $30,000 worth of prizes from Anaconda, Bigfish Gear, Engel, Shimano and Holidays of Australia and the World.
As noted by Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC) General Manager Tim Watsford:
“Fishing is a way of life for many Territorians, and it’s fantastic to see the third $10,000 tagged Barra reeled in by another dedicated local angler.
“I would like to congratulate Daniel Klingner and his brother Anthony for hooking onto the prized catch as part of Australia’s greatest fishing competition, Million Dollar Fish.
“There’s still lots of time to catch the remaining 97 $10,000 Barramundi, 20 $5,000 charity fish and six $1 million Barramundi that are included in Season 5 and I would encourage locals and tourists alike to register and try their luck at reeling in the Million Dollar Fish today.”
As noted by BetEasy Strategic Partnerships Manager Brad Fanning:
“I couldn’t be more excited to see the third $10,000 tagged fish reeled in by a local angler, along with his brother, who are huge advocates for fishing in the Northern Territory.
“It’s no secret that we have some of the best fishing spots in the world here, and I’m thrilled to see Season 5 prize-tagged fish being caught right across the Northern Territory from Manton Dam, to King Ash Bay and now Mandorah.
“This $10,000 tagged Barra is the first to be caught through land-based fishing this season, which just goes to show anyone has the opportunity to chase red tags and participate in Million Dollar Fish.”
As noted by winning angler Daniel Klingner of Bees Creek:
“I couldn’t believe it when I reeled it in and saw the red tag. My brother is up here on a fishing trip visiting from South Australia – we’ve been fishing for seven days straight right around the Top End but we weren’t expecting to catch a tagged Barra.
“He was supposed to be flying back down south Friday (today), but we got lucky so he’s going to stay a couple of extra days to celebrate with a few beers over the weekend.
“I’m from South Australia originally and moved to the Northern Territory because the fishing, the lifestyle and the weather is so good up here.”
