The monster reptile latched onto his lure and simply wouldn't let go. But with a sensational calm given the situation, Trent de With managed to even win his lure back!

His video of the frightening experience is travelling around the world.

UK news websites are featuring his story.

Mr de With, who manages Rod & Rifle TackleWorld Katherine with his family, was at Timber Creek near the NT/WA border, a popular fishing spot west of Katherine last week.

Despite the Territory's border closures there are a lot of anglers out on local waterways with the running of the government-backed million dollar fish campaign.

Already $65,000 has been handed out with six red tagged fish caught as fishos try and catch that one tagged barra worth $1 million.

In six seasons of the $1 million fish contest, no-one has even caught that one fish and with the borders only just re-opening, locals reckon they have a better chance than other years.

Trent's amazing video, shared online by the fishing store, shows the moment the monster emerges from the water.

Once the croc was hooked it took a few deep dives and nearly snapped the rod in half before it took off.

"Managed to get the lure back! Although it doesn't track as straight as it use to," he's heard saying at the end.

And for the fishing fanatics, Mr de With took time to explain the gear he was using.

"Rod - Samaki XT scale 6' 12-20lb

"Reel - shimano Calcutta 250 TE DC with 50lb fins braid and 80lb Schneider leader. We run 80lb leader due to the barnacles on the snags we fish."

"You must tie one hell of a knot lol how in the actual hell did you pull in a croc with out breaking your rod or pulling a muscle," Facebook fan Cameron Hodges commented.

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