Best Crabbing Places in New Jersey

Crabbing is a very popular summer and fall activity along the bays and creeks on the Jersey Shore. Here you can discover the best places to go for crabbing in NJ.

Crabs can be caught from a rental row boat using a drop line or a scoop net along the bay dock pilings, or with a net and bait along the side of a creek. In NJ, in terms of numbers caught, recreational crabbing exceeds recreational fishing catches of bluefish, flounder, black sea bass and striped bass.

New Jersey Recreational Crabbing Regulations

Crabs may be taken with hand lines, manually operated collapsible traps, or scoop nets without a license.

Minimum size for crabs that may be harvested (measured from point to point of shell)
1) Peeler or shedder crab—3 inches b) Soft crab—3 ½ inch
2) Hard crab—4 ¾ inches (for sale)
3) Hard crab—4 ½ inches (for possession)

All female crabs with eggs attached and all undersized crabs shall be returned to the water immediately.

Best Crabbing in Monmouth County

Keansburg Fishing Pier, Raritan Bay - Crab on the pier with good results if you can get close the the pilings with a scoop net

Navesink River, Rumson - Boat rentals can be available right near the Oceanic Bridge

Best Crabbing in Ocean County

Bass River Bridge area, New Gretna - Under the parkway and Rt 9 bridge. Going south on Rt 9 go over the bridge make your first left or right and go back along the bridge. Especially enjoyable for kids.

Berkeley Island County Park - A good park for fishing and crabbing with a playground for the kids and a life guard patrolled bathing beach located on the other side of the park.

Bayside Terrace, Seaside Heights, Barnegat Bay - The Seaside Heights docks on the Cranberry Inlet between Lavallette and Seaside.

Dock Road & Westecunk Creek, Eagleswood - At the end of Dock road as the creek flows into Little Egg Harbor.

Good Luck Point, Bayville - In Ocean Gate, just a little south of the Seaside Bridge..

Rt. 539 & Green Street, Tuckerton - At the end of the road, there is a small park area with railings around it, parking, a pavilion, and a bathroom. Good area for crabbing, especially with small children.

Great Bay Blvd at Seven Bridges Road, Little Egg Harber - You can from the the first bridge as it has pedestrian walkway along one side, and crabbing along the banks of the creeks near the second and third bridges.

West Point Island Bridge, Lavalette - Under the bridge connecting Lavallette to West Point Island.

Playhouse Road E., Mystic Island , Tuckerton - Before Big Creek Bridge. Crabbing along the edge of the lagoon, and the remains of an old dock area with pilings.

Windward Beach, Princeton Avenue, Brick Township - Has a pier with a depth of 6-8 ft of water

Best Crabbing in Atlantic County

Mays Landing-Somers Point Road, Egg Harbor Township - On the way to Somers Point, on the left. Park park your car and wade through the tall grassy meadows to find a path to the water.

Poplar Ave, Linwood - Behind the Linwood Country Club, at the end of Poplar Ave.

Route 9, Absecon - Near the Holy Spirit high School, use traps or nets.

Best Crabbing in Cape May County

Cape May National Wildlife Refuge. - Along the creeks in the marshlands on Ocean Drive between Cape May and Wildwood Crest.

Lakeview Docks, Wildwood Crest - Pier for fishing and crabbing off Park Blv'd. open 7 am - 7 pm. Charges a small fee for crabbing off the pier. Boat rentals also available.

Best Crabbing in Cumberland County

Dividing Creek, Route 553 at the Bridge - A good spot to crab in a boat. Boats can be rented at several of the boat rentals in the area.

Beaver Dam Boat Rentals
514 Old Beaver Dam Road & Rt. 553
Newport, NJ
http://www.crabulousnj.com/Crabbing.html
1-856-447-3633
Nestled on the Oranokin Creek, it was once home to the Lenape Indians who prized this area for its rich abundance of crabs. Every boat rental includes: the boat, oars/paddles, anchor, life jackets for all members of your party and a crab net. They will tow you out to one of the four salt ponds where the crabs are waiting. They will even come out and check on you to see how you are doing and to offer assistance to move you, or you can row yourself to another spot if you prefer. They have extra bait and other supplies on board so you don't have to stop your fun when you find the perfect spot.