Crabbing Hotspots

Check out our top places to go crabbing in South Devon. All you need is bucket, a crab line, a net and some bait - crabs love bacon or squid!

How to Crab

•Half fill a bucket with sea/river water and put some bacon in it for the crabs that you have caught.
•Attach your bait to the string.
•Lower your line into the water (keeping hold of one end) until it is slack or loose (when it has reached the bottom).
•Wait patiently.
•Bring up your line slowly and have your net ready to scoop up your crabs into the bucket.
•If you want to pick up the crabs, handle them carefully and pick them up from the back so you don't get nipped by their pincers.
•Always return the crabs to their natural habitat before you leave.

Top Crabbing Hotspots in South Devon

The Embankment: Kingsbridge
Ideally near to the slipway at the far end of Quay car park. For more information contact Kingsbridge Information Centre.

Stoke Gabriel
Snuggled between the River Dart and a tranquil mill pool, you will always find a place to crab, either along the shore of the mill pool, along the quay or on the dam itself.

Teignmouth
The lively and colourful back beach at Teignmouth is an ideal location to drop a line and land a cracking crab or two!

Shaldon
At low tide this delightful coastal village provides an ample opportunity to wade around the rock pools and look for crabs. For more information, contact Shaldon Tourist Information Centre.

Dittisham
Idyllically situated beside the beautiful lake-like River Dart- Crabbing is a favourite activity for children on the pontoon at Dittisham.

Wembury
Wildlife-loving ex-Goodie Bill Oddie voted this spot near Plymouth his favourite for rock pooling in the UK. You should see lots of shore crabs and porcelain crabs going about their daily business of feeding, fighting and breeding.

Dartmouth
Perfect crabbing spots are along the embankment with a fantastic view of the River Dart. For more information contact Dartmouth Tourist Information Centre.

Dawlish
Coryton Cove unveils glistening rock pools at low tide, perfect for catching crabs and other creatures. The various breakwaters along the famous sea wall are also hotspots for making that all important catch. For more information contact the Dawlish Tourist Information Centre.