Scott Lenox: Hooked on flounder
Want to know something about flounder?
Just mention the word to Scott Lenox, and sit back and learn everything you ever wanted to know about the popular fish.
Lenox, of Ocean Pines, Md., who has turned his love of fishing into his life's work, spoke at the Lewes Harbour Marina April 15 to some of the Sea Sisters, who are members of the local Freedom Boat Club.
Lenox is best known as the host of the cable TV show “Hooked on OC” for the past 16 years, which airs at 7 a.m., Sundays on WMDT-TV. He also publishes Fish in OC magazine and has his own website, fishinoc.com.
There aren't too many days that Lenox is not out on the water, and flounder fishing is his favorite pastime. “I think it's the most popular fish on the Eastern Shore. It's lots of fun to catch and it's delicious to eat,” he said.
He's already been out flounder fishing, and his wife, Kristen, caught the first flounder of the season in Ocean City. Flounder can be caught from March through December, although they move from shallow water in the spring to deeper water in the summer. Lenox said water temperature in the 55- to 65-degree range is ideal for flounder. In spring, flounder can be found in 4 to 15 feet of water in areas closer to shore.
He starts with artificial bait in the spring and changes over to live bait in June. He said for most of his life, he had fished with live bait and actually turned his nose up at artificial lures.
That was until he fished with the deadly double rig using Gulp! artificial bait. The rig was invented by Dale Timmons of Ocean City, who has become a steadfast friend of his. Now, Lenox sells the rigs on his website, and in area bait and tackle shops.
Lenox said flounder are ambush predators that feed on sight and not scent. “They are attracted by the constant action of the artificial bait,” he said.
The rigs come in a variety of colors including white, red and chartreuse, and two sizes, 4 and 5 inches.
When the water starts to warm and flounder move out into deeper water, he uses live bait, with a preference for bunker. Other types of live bait include spot, mullet and minnows, which can all be used to catch flounder.
Fish in OC magazine is available locally at Lewes Harbour Marina, Indian River Inlet Marina and Lewes Ice House Bait & Tackle. The publication is a family affair – Scott is publisher and a contributor; his wife Kristen is editor; and one of his sons, Ryan, is in charge of delivery.
Area flounder tournaments are on the schedule including the Joe Morris Memorial Canal Flounder Tournament set for Friday, May 21, in Lewes. Go to lewesharbourmarina.com for more information.
