Katherine teenager becomes millionaire after reeling in prize fish

A teenager has become an instant millionaire after reeling in a barramundi that was part of the Northern Territory’s Million Dollar Fish competition.

Keegan Payne, a “mad-keen” fisherman, caught the prize 67cm barra on the Katherine River with friends and family on Sunday.

The 19-year-old called the competition hotline at 1am, ecstatic that his whole life was about to change.

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“We were freaking out, nearly crashed the boat into the boat ramp,” Payne said.

Hundreds of barramundi worth either $1,000,000 or $10,000 are released into various Northern Territory waterways for the annual competition designed in partnership with the NT Government to attract tourism to the region.

At the beginning of season nine, event sponsor, Sportsbet, said a number of new initiatives would guarantee a winner but said details would be released later.

Sportsbet has since revealed it released 80 million-dollar-fish in Darwin, Katherine, Arnhem Land, Kakadu and Tiwi Islands to increase the chances of someone reeling in a major prize.

Payne worked two jobs and said his family of eight, like many others across the country currently, were tight for money.

“Now with a million dollars, we don’t have to complain about it,” he joked.

“I can buy what I want, maybe help dad and mum out with the home loans.”

Payne said his family were planning a trip to the United States and he was hoping to buy a new boat and car.

He also chose to donate $10,000 of his price money to Cancer Council NT.

Season nine of Million Dollar Fish ends at midnight April 30th and eight fishing enthusiasts have so far caught $10,000 worth of prize money each.

One lucky competitor caught two $10,000 fish.