Crab fishing is a fun and rewarding hobby for anglers across the country. With thousands of miles of coastline, the United States offers numerous spots to drop a trap and try your hand at catching these tasty crustaceans. This guide will provide tips on the prime crab fishing locations in every coastal state from Maine to California.
Best Spots for Crab Fishing in the Northeast
The Northeast offers outstanding crab fishing especially for the commercially important blue crab. The Chesapeake Bay in Maryland and Virginia accounts for over 30% of the national blue crab harvest. Here are some of the top spots in the Northeast
-
Chesapeake Bay, MD and VA The bay and its tidal tributaries offer great crabbing from boats, bridges, piers, and shore Target crabs around eelgrass beds and submerged wood structure Prime spots include Tangier Island, Smith Island, and Crisfield in Maryland and Reedville and Onancock in Virginia.
-
Delaware Bay, DE and NJ: Another major blue crab producer. The best action is near the mouth of the bay. Productive areas include Bowers Beach, Port Mahon, and the Mispillion River in Delaware and Cape May and Fortescue in New Jersey.
-
Long Island Sound, NY Bridgeports Harbor and Northport Harbor offer excellent crabbing from the shoreline or by boat. Target crabs around rocky bottoms and jetties.
-
Narragansett Bay, RI: The Providence River holds good numbers of blue crabs. Shore fishing hotspots include Rocky Point, Conimicut Point, and Sabin Point.
-
Casco Bay, ME: Crab with baited traps from islands like Peaks and Cousins or fish from piers in Portland and South Portland. Green and Jonah crabs are common catches.
Top Spots for Crabbing in the Southeast
The warm southern waters of the Southeast support blue crabs, stone crabs, and other tasty crab species. Here are some prime places to drop a line:
-
Florida Gulf Coast: Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, and Charlotte Harbor offer great shoreline and pier crabbing. Target stone and blue crabs.
-
Florida Atlantic Coast: Indian River Lagoon, Banana River, and Mosquito Lagoon near Cape Canaveral hold blue crabs, stone crabs, and calico crabs.
-
Georgia Coast: St. Simons Sound, Sapelo Sound, and other estuaries have productive blue crab fisheries. The Brunswick area is a hotspot.
-
South Carolina: The coastal marshlands around Charleston and Myrtle Beach offer blue and stone crab fishing from piers and bridges.
-
North Carolina: Top spots include Bogue Sound near Morehead City and the coastal waters near Wilmington. Look for blue and stone crabs.
-
Alabama Coast: Fish for blue crabs in Mobile Bay and Mississippi Sound. Popular crabbing piers include Gulf State Park Pier and Foley Beach Pier.
-
Mississippi Coast: Biloxi Bay and St. Louis Bay hold good numbers of blue crabs. Shore fishing and crabbing from piers and bridges is very productive.
Outstanding Crab Fishing in the West Coast and Gulf States
On the West Coast, Dungeness crab is king. The Pacific Northwest and California offer great crabbing from shore and boats. In the Gulf of Mexico, target blue crabs:
-
Oregon: Crabbing hotspots include Netarts Bay, Yaquina Bay, Coos Bay, and Winchester Bay. Late summer and fall are peak seasons.
-
Washington: Excellent Dungeness crab fishing in Puget Sound, Willapa Bay, and Grays Harbor. Anacortes, Westport, and Tokeland are prime launch points.
-
California: Crescent City, Bodega Bay, Half Moon Bay, and Morro Bay offer great shoreline and pier fishing for Dungeness. Use snares or traps.
-
Texas Gulf Coast: Fish for blue crabs in Galveston Bay and East Matagorda Bay from piers and bridges or by boat. Peak seasons are spring and fall.
-
Louisiana: Lakes Pontchartrain and Borgne and vermilion Bay provide great blue crab action. Crabs congregate near oil rigs and rocky outcroppings.
-
Alabama Coast: Fish for blue crabs in Mobile Bay and Mississippi Sound. Popular crabbing piers include Gulf State Park Pier and Foley Beach Pier.
-
Mississippi Coast: Biloxi Bay and St. Louis Bay hold good numbers of blue crabs. Shore fishing and crabbing from piers and bridges is very productive.
Essential Tips for Crab Fishing Success
To maximize your success on a crab fishing adventure, keep these tips in mind:
-
Use proper bait like raw chicken, fish, or squid in your traps and nets. Bait bags will keep crab focused on your trap.
-
Drop traps in areas with structure and currents, where crabs congregate to feed. Bridges, docks, eelgrass beds, and channel edges are prime spots.
-
Give traps plenty of time to attract crabs before pulling them up. Wait at least 30-60 minutes.
-
When fishing from piers and jetties, use dip nets and rings to scoop up crabs attracted by the bait.
-
Local bait shops can provide info on current hotspots and the best bait options for your area.
-
Always check current regulations. Most states require recreational fishing licenses and have size and catch limits.
-
Coolers filled with ice will keep your crab catches fresh until you get home. Don’t let them sit in the sun.
So grab your traps and bait, and head to the coast for outstanding crab fishing. The spots covered above offer your best shot at landing a tasty crab dinner. Just be sure to check your state’s regulations and fish responsibly. Good luck reeling in your crab catch!
Blue Crab Fishing: How To Catch Blue Crabs From Shore Without A Trap – Catching Blue Crabs | SFSC
When is the best time to go crabbing?
The best time to go crabbing depends on when crabs are most active. If you go during a period when crabs are dormant, then you will not have much luck. For most people, there are two or three main ways to go crabbing. In many coastal cities on the east and west coast, designated fishing and crabbing piers are placed in certain locations.
Where can you catch crabbing in Maryland?
There are a variety of great crabbing spots in Maryland. Here is an extensive list of the best ones below: Bill Burton Fishing Pier State Park, U.S. 50 at the Choptank River. St Michaels, Tilghman. F Delventhal | Wikimedia Commons Which Crab types can you catch? Blue Crabs are a popular catch in this state. Very common in coastal lagoons.
Where to fish for crabs?
Freshwater crabs like fiddler and red crabs are best fished in shallow water near land. Common places you’ll find these species is along the shorelines with places to hide, such as beaches with logs, boulders or grass. Rocky reefs are another popular habitat.
How can I go crabbing?
There are several ways to go crabbing. For most people, there are designated fishing and crabbing piers in coastal cities on the east and west coast. You can find a spot using Google maps, or refer to our location guide if you’re near one of the more popular towns.