'Mad keen' teen fisherman reels in $1 million barramundi in NT ...

19 days ago

Australia's most sought-after fish has been caught after a 19-year-old Northern Territory man reeled in a barramundi worth $1 million on Sunday morning.

Million Dollar Fish - Figure 1
Photo 9News

Katherine local Keegan Payne caught the fish, which had been tagged as part of a nine-year-long fishing competition, in the Katherine River.

When the self-professed "mad keen fisherman" found out he had won the Top End's million-dollar cash prize, he said he planned to use the prize money to help his parents with their home loans.

Footage from the moment Payne caught the winning fish. The fish are tagged with a red marker as part of the competition. (Nine)The ecstatic Payne family find out they've won the million-dollar prize. (Million Dollar Fish)

"This is crazy for us, we're a big family, there's eight of us. This is more money than we could ever ask for. This is just great," Payne said.

Million Dollar Fish - Figure 2
Photo 9News

"It means so much. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me. I'm happy, really happy.

"I can buy what I want, maybe help Dad and Mum out with the home loans," he said.

Payne was on a fishing trip with family and a friend at the Katherine River when he caught the prized barramundi.

Overwhelmed with joy, Keegan Payne celebrates winning the $1 million prize. (Million Dollar Fish)

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Million Dollar Fish - Figure 3
Photo 9News

Payne called the hotline for the prize in the early hours of Sunday morning, with the competition's organisers inviting him and his family to collect a prize.

The organisers then confirmed his fish was worth $1 million.

The competition has been running since 2015, but until now, nobody had reeled in one of the million-dollar barramudi.

Every season, more than a hundred fish tagged with special markings are released in waterways across the Northern Territory.

Million Dollar Fish - Figure 4
Photo 9News

Most of the fish are worth $10,000, but some are worth the major prize of $1 million.

Payne is handed the monster check after his prize-catch. (Million Dollar Fish)

Keegan chose charity partner Cancer Council NT to receive $10,000 from Sportsbet, a sponsor of the competition. 

NT Major Events Company chief executive Suzana Bishop said organisers were "so happy and excited for Keegan".

Million Dollar Fish - Figure 5
Photo 9News

"We guaranteed a winner this season and we're delighted to see the prize go off," said Sportsbet chief executive Barni Evans.

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