Matthew Maurice secured the windfall using a suspended jerkbait while out on the water with his younger brother east of Darwin. The prized 80-centimetre barramundi happened to be the only catch carrying the Season 12 grand prize tag, which drew cheers from witnesses on a nearby houseboat. Maurice aims to put the funds toward buying a house, settling debts, and small personal purchases. His successful catch additionally unlocked a A$10,000 charitable donation directly benefiting Surf Life Saving NT.
Key points
The Northern Territory government's seasonal tourism campaign has distributed more than A…: The Northern Territory government's seasonal tourism campaign has distributed more than A$2.47 million in total prize money.
The winning haul triggered an additional A$10,000 contribution to Surf Life Saving NT, pu…: The winning haul triggered an additional A$10,000 contribution to Surf Life Saving NT, pushing total event donations over A$133,000.
Season 12 continues through March 31, 2027, with 96 tagged fish worth A$10,000 each remai…: Season 12 continues through March 31, 2027, with 96 tagged fish worth A$10,000 each remaining unhooked.
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A 26-year-old Australian man won A$1 million on Thursday after catching a red-tagged barramundi during a fishing trip with his younger brother in the Northern Territory. Matthew Maurice, from Darwin, caught the fishat Corroboree Billabong, where it measured just over 80cm. He became only the second person to win the top prize in the Million Dollar Fish competition's 12-year history.
Maurice had gone fishing with his younger brother, who was visiting from overseas. The brothers had planned to spend a quiet evening together on the water. Maurice, who regularly participates in the competition, was using a suspended jerkbait when a barramundi took his lure. Within seconds, the fish jumped out of the water, revealing a bright red tag. He realised that it could be one of the fish released as part of the competition.
"I saw the fish jump within the first 10 seconds and spotted a bright red tag hanging out of it," Maurice said, according to ABC News Australia. "There was about two minutes of absolute panic and then I don't actually remember netting it. It was probably…
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