Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here

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

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.
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.
Million Dollar Fish
Footage from the moment Payne caught the winning fish. The fish are tagged with a red marker as part of the competition. (Nine)
Million Dollar Fish
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.
"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.
Million Dollar Fish
Overwhelmed with joy, Keegan Payne celebrates winning the $1 million prize. (Million Dollar Fish)
Deep-sea squid's unusual cargo shocks scientists
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.
Most of the fish are worth $10,000, but some are worth the major prize of $1 million.
Million Dollar Fish
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".
"We guaranteed a winner this season and we're delighted to see the prize go off," said Sportsbet chief executive Barni Evans.
CONTACT US

Send your stories to contact@9news.com.au

Auto news: The change coming to a BMW favourite.