Reeling in the fun at the Palm Coast Youth Fishing Derby

One team reeled in a baby hammerhead shark, before releasing it back in the Matanzas River.

By Paige Wilson
| 10:50 a.m. July 22, 2019

Palm Coast resident Domingos Marcalo reels in a 20-inch hammerhead shark. Photo by Paige Wilson

Palm Coast resident Jared Dawson poses with the young hammerhead, which was caught on his rod. Photo by Paige Wilson

Palm Coast residents Chad, Tanner and Walker Brasol fish while standing in the Matanzas River. Photo by Paige Wilson

"I caught two little snails," Francesca DelBonis, of Palm Coast, said. John DelBonis fishes with her. Photo by Paige Wilson

Palm Coast resident Carson Neel reels in his line after feeling a bite. Photo by Paige Wilson

Jared and Jayden Dawson, of Palm Coast, pose with the hammerhead. Photo by Paige Wilson

Madelyn Freeman casts her line. Photo by Paige Wilson

Palm Coast residents Walker, Chad and Tanner Brasol fish while standing in the Matanzas River. Photo by Paige Wilson

Palm Coast residents Lukas and Priscilla Dos Freitas have fun at the Fishing Derby. Photo by Paige Wilson

Palm Coast resident Ryan Jackett playfully takes a photo with a mangrove snapper before releasing it back into the Matanzas River. Photo by Paige Wilson

Palm Coast resident Ethan Dos Santos holds up a mangrove snapper. Photo by Paige Wilson

Madelyn Freeman said she's enjoying her last few days visiting family in Palm Coast. Photo by Paige Wilson

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As a 20-inch hammerhead shark was reeled in on the dock at Waterfront Park, all the kids ran over to see the unique catch.

Palm Coast resident Jared Dawson earned the "Largest Catch" award for the hammerhead, which he took a photo with before it was released back in the Matanzas River.

The inaugural Youth Fishing Derby was held by the city of Palm Coast Parks & Recreation Department the morning of Saturday, July 20, at 150 Waterfront Park Road. Twenty youth participated in the derby, with their families.

City of Palm Coast Youth Recreation Supervisor Michael Smith said this event was an opportunity to get more visitors at Waterfront Park.

"We don't have a bunch of things for families necessarily, so this was something kids could do with their parents or grandparents or the whole family could come out," Smith said.