A 15-year-old boy from Sydney was fishing with his friends in Middle Harbour when he suddenly reeled in an absolute monster.

Addison Hodge has always been described by his mum as a keen and passionate fisherman ever since he was a toddler. He is known to spend his weekdays on the local harbour, catching fish with his mates and later returning them to the open waters.

As seen on the 15-year-old’s Instagram account, he’s encountered all sorts of fish of different sizes and varieties over experience as a fisherman. But never before had the young man caught a shark.

Not until Saturday.

15-year-old Addison has pulled a giant bull shark from Sydney Harbour. Credit: Mosman Collective.
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During the weekend, Addison went with his friend to the Sydney harbour to test out his brand-new rod, which he purchased with his birthday money. He had only been fishing for a few minutes when suddenly, a huge and aggressive 2.8-metre bull shark latched onto his line.

“It all happened so fast,” said Addison. It only took a few seconds for the 15-year-old fisherman to figure out that he had hooked something bigger than the usual tuna and kingfish he expected to hook.

And after a 45-minute push-and-pull fight between the boy and the apex predator, he managed to reel in the shark, which weighed a massive 130 kilograms.

“The thing nearly pulled me into the water,” he said. “It was insane.”

Credit: Mosman Collective.​

After a few photos were taken with the mighty creature, Addison released the bull shark back into the waters, both of them absolutely exhausted after a lengthy battle.

“I had so much adrenaline running through my body,” the boy said. “It was incredible to see the bull shark up close, they are nothing like the ones you see at the Sydney Aquarium that’s for sure.”

He also noted how the increasing rate of shark appearances lately is proof that Sydney Harbour is well and healthy to support all kinds of marine animals.

Bull sharks are typically more active in the warmer months. And once the water cools down, they will leave the harbour and head north to Queensland in search of warmer waters.

Addison said that he’ll be back on the waters as soon as school finishes on Friday.

Way to go, Addison! And good luck with your next catch!

 

[Ricci]

Way to go buddy! All my fishing trips have ended in a visit to the fish shop so I'm jealous of anyone that can actually manage to hook a fish,