Teenager Addison Hodge in ‘shock’ after reeling in 2.8m bull shark in Sydney Harbour

A 15-year-old boy who pulled a giant bull shark from Sydney Harbour said he didn’t expect to catch anything on his fishing trip.

A teenager was in complete “shock” when he realised he had caught a massive bull shark in Sydney Harbour.

Addison Hodge was fishing in Middle Harbour at the weekend when he hooked the 2.8m shark and spent 45 minutes reeling it in.

The 15-year-old said he was in total “shock” when he realised what was on the end of his fishing line.

“I had never caught anything like it,” he told Sunrise.

“It was a pretty crazy experience, we were not expecting to get anything that big. We hardly expected to catch anything at all.”

Addison had only bought his fishing rod two weeks before catching the bull shark.

Addison Hodge, 15, was fishing with friends on the weekend when he caught a 2.8m bull shark. Picture: Mosman Collective

The 15-year-old has gone viral since a video of him with the shark was posted online.

While he said he wasn’t worried when he put his hand into the water, Addison said it was “pretty cool” to see a shark up close.

“There are always sharks in the harbour but to have one beside the boat is pretty cool,” he said.

“It was pretty huge … I was not expecting it to be that big.”

Addison told local blog Mosman Collective that he was nearly pulled into the water by the “insane” shark.

“It was a massive catch, that’s for sure,” he said.

“I guess it’s proof of how healthy Sydney Harbour is. The warm currents have brought so many sharks into the harbour this year, they are everywhere.”

Sharks have been spotted regularly in the harbour. Picture: Mosman Collective

The teenager said sharks had been flooding the harbour in recent months and estimated the bull shark he caught weighed about 140kg.

After getting some photos and videos with the shark, Addison helped put the animal back in the harbour despite its weight.

“I cut the hook and made sure we ran some water through his gills to get him moving again. He was pretty tired after a 45-minute struggle,” he said.

“I’m pretty sore in the back, shoulders and arms.”

The catch came just a week after Simon Nellist was killed by a great white shark in Little Bay, about 20km south of where Addison was fishing.