How to Go Crabbing (Properly)
☝️ Single-use bucket alert — we don’t recommend these ☝️
A semi-serious beginner’s guide for the curious, clueless, or crab-obsessed
If you read our last post, you’ll know we’ve got a proper Crabbing Guide - a printable manual built from years of wet feet, nipped fingers, and family arguments about tide times.
But you want to start crabbing now, so here’s what you need to know before you lower your first bit of bacon.
It’s early days for us so sorry about the Amazon links, we plan on cutting Bezos out the picture soon - for good.
What You Actually Need
A drop net or line
For beginners, a drop net is the way to go. They’re simple, sturdy, and make it easy to haul up a bunch of crabs at once — perfect if you’re just starting out or crabbing with kids. We recommend this set of two , perfect if you’ve got more than one crabber in the crew.
But… if you’re after skill, our boys swear by the hand line. With a line, it’s all about finesse: keeping the crab interested, steady on the bait, and not knocking it off on the way up. You might not land as many, but every catch feels earned. These eco friendly options here, are ok, they require more patience and a steady hand but the ocean will thank you.
Bait
Bacon is and always has been the people’s favourite, but there are alternatives. Find out what performs best in our FREE DOWNLOADABLE GUIDE
A bucket
Most importantly make sure your bucket is good quality so you can use it again, clear are great because you can watch the crabs from the sidelines but avoid the Crazy Coast clear buckets with crab on that you get at the sea side souvenir shop, they are actually classed as single use plastic and will most likely break after one session. We like this one because it’s tough enough to survive more than one summer. Fill it with seawater and keep it in the shade.
Patience
This is a game of self control.
SIDENOTE- At Crab Club, we’re working on our own, cool as claws, more ocean-friendly, longer lasting crabbing gear – KEEP AN EYE ON US.
Want the Full How-To?
We’ve put everything — bait hacks, gear tips, what to do if a crab steals your car — into a printable Crabbing Guide.
It’s yours free when you sign up. Something to stash in your glovebox or stuff in your bag next time you hit the coast.
