TRANSPARENT OUTFITTER KNOWLEDGE BASE
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the Three Buoys tackle shop — shipping, returns, warranties, fishing licenses and where our fishing data comes from.
35 Questions Answered
10 Topics
Live Support: 443-485-1083
About Three Buoys
What is Three Buoys all about?
Three Buoys is built around a simple motto: "Teach first. Sell second." We are a Chesapeake-rooted fishing outfitter: we publish free, practical fishing knowledge — species profiles, local waters, conditions and how-to guides — and stock the tackle we would use ourselves.
Why is the company called "Three Buoys"?
The name "Three Buoys" is rooted in Chesapeake Bay navigation and maritime heritage. Historically, the buoy system is how watermen and anglers communicated direction, hazard, and access on the Bay — before GPS, before charts on every phone. Three buoys together mark a channel, a safe passage, a destination. It's a nod to those who learned the water by reading it, not just following it. The name also represents three core commitments: Education, Engineering, and Community.
What area does Three Buoys focus on?
Our home water is the Upper Chesapeake and the wider Mid-Atlantic: Maryland, Delaware, Washington DC, Virginia, southeastern Pennsylvania, and southern New Jersey. This is the region we know best — its waterways, species, regulations, access points, and seasons — so that's where our editorial and field-report content focuses. We ship to and serve anglers well beyond it.
Is there a Three Buoys store I can visit?
No — Three Buoys is an online shop and we do not run a walk-in storefront. We are based in Elkton, MD, and every order is placed online and shipped straight to you anywhere in the US.
Does Three Buoys accept paid placements or sponsored reviews?
No. Three Buoys does not accept paid placements, sponsored editorial, or paid reviews for catalog items. Staff picks are based on verified field use, documented testing, or direct personal experience. If that changes, we will disclose it explicitly on the relevant page. Our "Teach First, Sell Second" pledge is only meaningful if our editorial is independent from our commercial interests.
Does Three Buoys support conservation?
Yes. We promote catch-and-release best practices, careful fish handling and responsible use of public ramps and piers, and our species and water pages point anglers to the state agencies and Bay groups doing habitat work.
Orders & Shipping
How is shipping calculated?
Shipping charges are calculated at checkout based on the items in your order, delivery destination, and available fulfillment methods. Orders may ship in more than one package and may arrive separately. Tracking is provided when available after shipment.
How long does order processing take?
Processing time varies depending on the item and where it is fulfilled. Some products ship directly from our distributors, manufacturers, or production partners, and processing times may vary by supplier. Tracking is provided when available once your order ships.
Do you ship internationally?
We ship to addresses in the United States only.
Returns & Warranty
What is your return policy?
Unopened lures, terminal tackle, line and accessories can be returned within 15 days of delivery for a refund, less shipping. Opened line spools, custom-rigged kits and items marked "Final Sale" can't be returned. If anything arrives damaged or fails under normal use, call us on 443-485-1083 or use the warranty & defect claim form and we'll arrange a replacement, a repair or a refund. The full terms are in our store policies.
What warranty does the gear you sell carry?
Every product we sell carries its manufacturer's warranty — the length and terms are the maker's, shown on the packaging or the maker's site. You don't have to deal with the manufacturer yourself: send a claim through our warranty & defect claim form with your order number and we'll handle it with them or make it right directly.
What We Sell
What do you sell?
Our online store carries hard baits, soft plastics, jig heads, terminal tackle, line, boating and safety gear, and accessories from established tackle makers such as Z-Man, Berkley, Strike King, Rapala and Eagle Claw. Browse it all in the store.
Do you make your own rods and reels?
We're working on it. Our own rod (MIDCHANNEL) and reel (FAIRLEAD 3000) are still in development — follow along in The Lab and the R&D Journal. They aren't for sale yet. Everything in the store today is brand-name tackle, and Three Buoys is the merchant of record for all of it — we handle customer service, returns and warranty claims for every item we sell.
Line, Leaders & Lures
What braid should I spool on a 3000-size spinning reel?
For a 3000-size spinning reel, 20–30 lb braided line covers most Mid-Atlantic inshore and tidal-river fishing. For Upper Bay stripers and snakehead, 20 lb moss-green 8-strand braid keeps visibility down. For heavy-cover snakehead work (lily pads, hydrilla), step up to 30 lb hi-vis braid so you can track a topwater lure.
What leader setup is best for Susquehanna Flats stripers?
For spring Susquehanna Flats striper fishing, we recommend a 20–25 lb fluorocarbon leader (18–24 inches) tied with a double uni or Alberto knot to your main braid. The near-invisible FC leader prevents line-shy stripers from refusing swimbaits in the gin-clear shallows over SAV grass beds. Connect to 3/4oz swimbait jig heads using a Palomar knot for 95% breaking strength.
Do you have snakehead-specific lure recommendations?
Absolutely. Northern snakehead are aggressive ambush predators in heavy vegetation. Our top three regional setups are: (1) 1/2 oz weedless hollow-body frog walked over lily pad mats — explosive topwater blow-ups, (2) 5" paddle tail swimbait on a 1/2 oz heavy-gauge swimbait jig head through open pockets in hydrilla, (3) Walk-the-dog stickbaits over open water adjacent to marsh grass edges on the Bohemia and Hacks Point tidal system. Tie direct with 30 lb braid for Potomac heavy cover.
Gear Care & Technique
What maintenance does a graphite rod need after saltwater or brackish use?
After every brackish or saltwater outing: (1) Rinse the blank, guides, reel seat, and handle with fresh water — a gentle garden hose works perfectly. (2) Dry thoroughly before storage. (3) Inspect the guide inserts for chips or cracks quarterly — run a cotton ball through each ring; if it catches, the insert should be replaced. (4) Store horizontally in a cool dry location. Do not store leaning at an angle under load for extended periods. Annual inspection of the epoxy wraps and guide feet is recommended.
What is high-sticking and why is it dangerous for graphite rods?
High-sticking means pointing the rod tip directly at a fish (or above 90°) while fighting it, concentrating bending stress in the weakest, thinnest tip section rather than distributing load across the full blank. This is the #1 cause of graphite rod breakage — not manufacturing defects. Even a medium-power blank can snap under a moderately sized fish if the angler lifts straight up with the rod past 90°. Keep the rod at a 45–70° angle, use the butt and mid-section to fight the fish, and sweep the rod sideways rather than straight up to tire a running fish.
How do I prevent and fix wind knots on a spinning reel?
Wind knots (loop tangles in braided line) are almost always caused by one of three things: (1) Spool overfilled past 1/8" below the spool lip — overfilled spools allow coils to collapse forward on a soft cast. Fill to 1/8" below the lip, never flush. (2) Line slack on the spool — always keep tension on the line during retrieves, especially after a miss-strike. Use your index finger to add light tension. (3) Closing the bail by hand vs. turning the handle — flipping the bail manually can trap a loop; always close the bail with the handle crank on the first revolution. If a wind knot forms, gently work it backward with a toothpick — do not pull the mainline, as this tightens the loop into an impossible knot.
Seasons & Where to Fish
When is the best time to target striped bass on Susquehanna Flats?
The Susquehanna Flats spring striper run is historically best from late March through mid-May when water temperatures hit 55–65°F. Stripers congregate in shallow SAV grass beds 1–4 feet deep to spawn, feeding aggressively on swimbaits and bucktails. The top tide windows are 2 hours before and after the high tide push. Catch-and-release is strongly encouraged during the spawning run.
When do northern snakeheads feed most actively?
Northern snakeheads are most active from late May through early October when water temperatures are above 65°F. Prime time is early morning (dawn to 9 AM) and late evening (6 PM to dusk). They nest in thick vegetation and guard fry aggressively in June and July, making topwater frogging incredibly exciting during these months. In cold winter months, snakeheads become lethargic and drop into deeper thermal pockets.
What species can I target from shore in Cecil County year-round?
Cecil County shore anglers can find consistent action across all four seasons. Spring: Yellow perch (Feb–Mar) and white perch (Mar–May) in North East River tribs. Summer: Largemouth bass (May–Sept) and snakehead (June–Oct) in brackish tributaries. Fall: Channel catfish (Sept–Nov) and fall stripers in C&D Canal current seams. Winter: Crappie and holdover white perch in deeper creek bends off Furnace Bay and Principio Creek.
What is the hickory shad run and when does it happen?
The hickory shad run is one of the most underrated freshwater fishing events in the Mid-Atlantic. Hickory shad migrate up the Susquehanna, Potomac, and other Bay tributaries from mid-March through mid-April. These fast, aggressive fish hit small silver shad darts, spoons, and micro jigs. Fletcher's Boathouse on the Tidal Potomac (DC) and the Havre de Grace riprap areas are top shad run access points.
Licenses & Regulations
Do I need a fishing license in Maryland?
In most cases, yes. Anglers 16 and older generally need a Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Fishing License for Maryland's tidal waters and a nontidal (freshwater) license for nontidal waters. Some anglers are exempt or need only a free registration instead, and the rules change — check the current requirements with MD DNR at dnr.maryland.gov before you fish. Licenses are sold online and by licensed agents.
What is the MD striped bass slot and size limit?
Striped bass regulations change annually based on stock assessments — always verify current limits before fishing at MD DNR. Generally, the Chesapeake Bay has a slot limit and seasonal closure during the spring spawning run (roughly April to mid-May) to protect spawning fish. In the C&D Canal, stripers follow a separate regulation schedule. We strongly recommend catch-and-release on Susquehanna Flats during the spring striper run.
Are northern snakeheads legal to target in Maryland?
Yes. Northern snakehead are classified as a nuisance invasive species in Maryland, and the MD DNR actively encourages anglers to target and harvest them. There is no size limit, no bag limit, and no closed season on snakehead in Maryland tidal waters. It is illegal to possess or transport a live snakehead in Maryland, and DNR asks anglers to kill any snakehead they catch rather than release it. They are also excellent table fare.
R&D Journal & Newsletter
What is the Three Buoys R&D Journal?
The R&D Journal is our open product-development logbook for our own rod and reel — the design decisions, testing and field trips along the way, written up as they happen. Those products are still in development; The Lab shows where each one stands.
Can local guides or anglers help test new gear?
Yes — we're putting together a small group of serious Upper Bay anglers to try prototypes on the Susquehanna Flats, the Bohemia River and the C&D Canal corridor. If you'd like to take part, get in touch.
How do I sign up for the newsletter?
Enter your email in the newsletter box at the bottom of any page, or use the newsletter signup page. We send fishing reports, new gear and deals by email. No spam, ever.
Data Sources & Corrections
Where does Three Buoys get its tide, water temperature, and weather data?
Three Buoys integrates data from the following public federal sources: NOAA CO-OPS (tides, water temperature, salinity, water levels — api.tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov), National Weather Service API (marine forecasts, alerts — api.weather.gov), USGS Water Data (river gauge height, stream flow — waterdata.usgs.gov), NOAA NDBC (offshore buoy wind, wave height — ndbc.noaa.gov), and Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System / CBIBS (Bay dissolved oxygen, turbidity, chlorophyll). All data values displayed are attributed to their source. Data labeled "Observed" is sensor-measured; data labeled "Predicted" is NOAA-modeled; data labeled "Forecast" is NWS guidance.
How current is the telemetry and conditions data on this site?
NOAA CO-OPS station observations update every 6 minutes at most stations. NWS marine forecasts are typically updated 4 times daily. USGS river gauge data updates every 15 minutes. Our Telemetry Network page displays the last-retrieved timestamp alongside each value. Data marked "STALE" or "DELAYED" indicates the upstream station has not reported within its normal window — treat this data with caution and verify with the official agency source before making navigation or safety decisions.
Where does the fish species information come from?
Our species profiles are written by our own team. Common and scientific names follow standard references such as ITIS, FishBase and NOAA FishWatch, and regulated species point to the state agency rules. Fishing tactics, gear notes and local access tips are our own.
Where do the boat ramp and access point listings come from?
Our marina, boat-ramp and access listings start from Maryland's public marina and boat-ramp records, cross-checked against public map listings, and we add and correct places as we fish them. Always confirm current access, fees, hours and permits with the managing agency before you go.
How are regulations pages maintained and how current are they?
Every rule on our regulations page links to its official state source and shows when our staff last checked it — or says plainly that it hasn't been checked yet. Regulations change, sometimes mid-season by emergency order, so always confirm with the issuing agency (MD DNR, DE DNREC, VA DWR, PA Fish & Boat, NJ DEP) before you keep a fish. Never rely solely on a third-party website for regulation compliance.
How do I report a mistake on the site?
If you spot an outdated regulation, wrong species information, a closed ramp or questionable tackle advice, email us at crew@threebuoystackle.com with the page address and what's wrong. We check every report and correct the page when it's wrong.
Still Have Questions?
Call or email us — we reply within one business day. Or send a question through the contact page and keep track of it there.