The $10,000 prized-catch was caught in a culvert in the Adelaide River catchment, where Mr Kahler and his friend were fishing on Monday night.

Despite the 87cm fish not carrying a $1 million price tag, the Herbert resident said he would put the cash towards vehicle repairs and purchasing a new car.

Mr Kahler said he was relieved to verify the $10,000 fish, after reeling in an ineligible red-tagged Season 3 Barra prior to the competition beginning.

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 $5,000 purple-tagged Barra.

At least one of the tagged barra has been released in Katherine region waters.

For the first time in the competition, Season 5 has 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 October 1 to March 31.

To be in the running to win a prized-tagged fish, register for the competition at www.milliondollarfish.com.au.

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.

Mr Kahler of Herbert said: "It was awesome to finally reel in an eligible red-tagged Barra - I actually caught one in Season 3 but couldn't claim anything as the season hadn't started.

"My mate reeled in a 91cm Barra on Monday as well - we could've got more but were pretty happy with the red tag so went home and celebrated with a few beers.

"I'm going to put the cash towards repairs for my friend's car and upgrading mine.

"I've been fishing up here for 11 years - I absolutely love it."

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