Crab fishing is one of the best ways to start your fishing experience even if you have never stepped foot onto a dock or boat. An activity that only requires three pieces of equipment, crabbing is an accessible and fun way to get out of the house or as a way to try something new when you’re on a coastline vacation. And crab fishing in the United States is a lot of fun and an easy activity to look into doing if you happen to be on the east or west coast. All you need to do after you get your crab pot, robe, and bucket is look up the local and state rules and regulations so you know exactly how many crabs you can take home with you and what size they must be. 

Until fishing for other shellfish, like clamming, you don’t have to wade into the water when you go for crabs. You can stay as dry as you would like while you lure in a yummy and fresh dinner for you to have that evening with your family. Crabbing is a year-round fishing activity, although there are certain points in the year that may yield better results. 

If you are looking to get into crab fishing or want to try it on your next vacation to the coasts of the United States, keep reading this guide to start figuring out how you can become a successful crab catcher!

When is the Best Time to go Crab Fishing 

Crabs don’t love cold water. But that doesn’t mean that you won’t find a crab occasional in cold water. But you will certainly have better luck going crabbing during the summer or warmer months in order to maximize the number of crabs you may be able to catch. Ideally, you want to try and search out waters that are 70 to 75 degrees F. Of course, there are some parts of the United States that will have these temperatures more frequently throughout the calendar year, such as the south. But overall, you can assume that trying to go crabbing will be best for you from late April to mid-June, again depending on what part of the country you are in. You will find a resurgence of matured and large enough crabs in September when the spring hatched crabs for a season and a half. 

Your success in catching crab is also dependent on the tide. The best times to go crabbing is when the tide is moving in or out. If you start about one to two hours before high tide until one to two hours after high tide, you will have success. You will want to be mindful of the currents that live below the surface; a strong current is going to whip your trap away and then you wouldn’t be able to enjoy anything!

What Equipment do you Need 

You can do crabbing very simply with just some basic equipment and without breaking the bank. The one thing you will definitely need is a crab trap. This metal box has a hole that lets the crabs in but won’t let them escape out. You will, of course, need a robe tied onto this trap, or else you will never be able to pull it up. And since you’re going to be catching a lot of crabs, make sure you have a big enough bucket! You will want to also have a measuring stick since many places have width minimums in order to avoid overfishing and promote conservation. Decide on what type of bait you want to put into your trap. Do you want a smelly fish head, fried chicken, or maybe something unique that only you know will work perfectly? If you want to get fancy and more technical with your crab fishing, you can use a bushel instead of a bucket and keep the fish in the actual water until you want to pull them out. 

You can do crabbing one of two ways. The first way is the more traditional way that you probably think of when you say you want to go crabbing. You are either on a dock or a boat and you lower the trap and raise it every couple of minutes, and you tie the trap’s rope to the dock or boat. You could also set your traps in the water from a boat and tie a floating device to the end of the rope and let the traps sit in the water for a bit. Done by the professionals more than the average anglers, you will want to get a brightly colored floating device so other boats don’t run your trap line over. 

Best Places to go for Crab Fishing in the United States 

Crab fishing can be done anywhere there is water. But of course, not all crabs are equal and certain waterways will be a better environment to produce tasty crabs. Here are the best states and places to go crab fishing in the United States: 

Alaska 

You may have watched the Discovery Channel a bit too much, but now you want to try your hand at extreme crab catching. Come to Alaska and see how many Red King Crabs you are able to bring home! You are also able to try your hand at catching Tanner Crabs, Snow Crabs, and Dungeness Crabs, and your best luck will be in October through January. And you don’t need a state permit to crab, just follow the size and catch limit restrictions, which do vary depending on which crab you are trying to load up on. 

California

A tad warmer than Alaska and a lot more south is California. The best type of crab to go for in these waters is the Dungeness Crab. Mostly found in eel grass beds and along the ocean floor, you will love the taste and amount of meat found on these crabs. You are able to fish for this species from November until late June annually, and you do not need a license if you are crabbing from a public pier; if you are crabbing from a jetty, boat, or the shoreline, you will need to obtain a license. 

Maryland

Considering their love for Old Bay spice and the classic state emblem, it would be wrong to not include the east coast’s Maryland on this list! A very common species of crab to catch in these waters is Blue Crab, named for the coloring throughout its shell and legs. You cannot keep female Blue Crabs. There are two ways to distinguish between genders for these crabs—females have a red color on their claws and legs that males don’t, and their underbelly “design” looks like a rounded triangle or rocket, compared to the pointed design on male undersides. The best time to go crabbing in Maryland is from late April to late November, and you will have your most successful and bountiful harvests in the fall months of September through November. 

Georgia

If you are vacationing in Georgia near the coast, you may want to consider going for Blue or Stone Crabs. The crab fishing season is year-round in these warmer, southern waters, and you will get to enjoy a peak harvest time period from August through October. You do need a license and to follow the state’s catch limit regulations. But truly nothing is better than heading out to Tybee Island from Savannah and relaxing on the rock jetties as you see just how amazing the crab fishing is right below you. 

Alabama

It isn’t always on the coastline that you can have a successful day crabbing! Crab fishing on the Alabama Gulf Coast is very popular among children where there are plenty of Blue Crabs. In Alabama, you cannot keep females (as described in ‘Maryland’) unless you are between January 15 and May 15 of each year. You also must have a saltwater fishing license in order to go crabbing. You will get the best tasting crabs between March and November, before the Blue Crabs migrate into deeper waters for the winter. Alabama also has regulations on what type of crab traps you are allowed to use, so be sure to check with the local bait and tackle shop before releasing your pot into the waters.

Texas 

Another Gulf state, Texas is home to many Blue Crabs that are ready and available to be caught, as well as Stone Crabs. You are able to enjoy year-round crab fishing in south Texas and you will need a license in order to go crabbing in the Texan Gulf waters. Although not as popular an activity as the other Gulf states, crabbing in Texas is still a lot of fun, and the results are just as good. 

Going crab fishing is easily one of the best experiences you can go have. If you are trying to ease your children into fishing, this is a great way to do so! Done both on a dock or on a boat, crab fishing is extremely accessible. And since crab pots and buckets are not that expensive, this is a very family friendly and fun way to dip your toes into fishing. Just make sure to look up the local and state laws and regulations so you are only taking home legal fish. And of course, start looking up some yummy recipes once you start catching them!