Question 1

What's in a family crabbing kit?

Accepted Answer

Our crabbing kits bring together the essentials: a crabbing line or two, a net, and a bucket to keep your catch safely in seawater. The bumper family sets also add a backpack and seashore activity bits, so you're ready for a whole morning of fun by the water.

Question 2

What is the best bait for crabbing?

Accepted Answer

Crabs aren't fussy, which is part of the fun. Bacon, fish heads or any oily fish work a treat and stay on the line well. Pop your bait in the little bait bag, lower it gently, and wait for that telltale tug from below.

Question 3

Is crabbing safe for young children?

Accepted Answer

It's a lovely first seaside activity, with a little supervision. We offer hook-free lines for younger children so there's nothing sharp to worry about, and we'd always recommend a buoyancy aid near deep water on the harbour edge.

Question 4

How do I look after the crabs I catch?

Accepted Answer

Keep them in a bucket of fresh seawater (not tap water), out of direct sun, and never overcrowd them. After a good look and maybe a count, gently lower them back where you found them. Catch and release keeps the crabbing brilliant for the next family too.

Question 5

Where is the best place to go crabbing?

Accepted Answer

Harbour walls, pontoons and stone steps are classic crabbing spots, especially around high tide when crabs come in close. Cornwall's little fishing harbours are perfect, but almost any safe, calm quayside will reward a patient line.

Question 6

What equipment do you need to go crabbing?

Accepted Answer

Surprisingly little. The essentials are a crabbing line or drop-net, a bait bag, and a bucket to hold your catch in fresh seawater. That is genuinely all it takes, which is why a ready-made kit is the easiest start, as it gathers the lot together so you only add bait on the day. Handy extras are a small net for lifting crabs gently, a cloth for sticky fingers, and a buoyancy aid for little ones near the harbour edge.

Question 7

How do you go crabbing, step by step?

Accepted Answer

Tie your bait into the bait bag, lower the line slowly to the seabed, then wait quietly for a minute or two. When you feel a gentle tug or see the line twitch, lift slowly and steadily so the crab keeps its grip, and guide it straight into a bucket of seawater. Have a look, perhaps a count, then lower the crabs gently back where you found them. Slow and patient always beats fast and jerky.

Question 8

What is a crab line, and is a hook-free one better for children?

Accepted Answer

A crab line is simply a length of line on a winder with a weight to reach the bottom and a bait bag or holder to tempt the crabs, no rod required. For younger children we would always steer you towards a weighted, hook-free line, because there is nothing sharp to worry about and crabs grab the bait bag happily without one. A single hand-line is also kinder to the crabs and other marine life than a large drop-net.

Question 9

Is crabbing a good activity for young children?

Accepted Answer

It is one of the loveliest first seaside activities, gentle on little hands and full of excitement when the line twitches. With a hook-free line there is nothing sharp involved, so the main thing is supervision near the water. Ask children to kneel or sit at the edge rather than stand, pop a buoyancy aid on younger ones near deeper water, and choose sturdy, non-slip shoes for slippery, barnacled stone.

Question 10

Where are the best places to go crabbing in Cornwall?

Accepted Answer

Cornwall's small fishing harbours are made for it, with calm, sheltered water beside stone steps, pontoons and quay walls where crabs gather close in. Aim for around high tide, when the crabs come right up to the wall, and pick a safe, calm quayside well back from boat traffic and strong currents. Almost any gentle harbour edge will reward a patient line, so it is worth asking locally for a sheltered favourite spot.

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Crabbing Kits

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