Feeling Crabby?

Looking for an activity that everyone can enjoy? Maybe you need to get a little crabby! Crabbing in the Lowcountry is a great experience for the whole family. Unlike many other adventures, crabbing is relatively cheap and doesn’t require much of a skill set.

Keeping it legal - the fishing regulations for the State of South Carolina do not require you to hold a fishing license if you are crabbing with three or fewer drop nets, fold up traps or hand lines. A recreational saltwater fishing license is required if you are crabbing with no more than two crab traps or pots. When using more than two crab traps or pots a commercial license is required.

Follow the rules. State law requires crabbers to toss back any male blue crab that is less than five inches across the back and any female with an egg mass indicating that she is reproducing.

Blue crab rules change this year. Visit https://www.dnr.sc.gov/news/2024/Aug/aug30-bluecrab.php for the latest info.

You are less likely to catch a stone crab BUT if you do, there are restrictions that must be followed. It is unlawful to possess any stone crab body, live or dead. Only stone crabs with two claws can be caught. State law states that the larger claw may be removed and kept IF it measures 2.75 inches or longer measured in a straight line from the elbow to the tip of the lower immovable claw finger AND the crab must be tossed back. If you catch a female stone crab with an egg mass, you must not remove any claws. She must be tossed back immediately, unharmed.

The only equipment needed is a bucket, a crab net or fold up trap, sturdy string, a two-ounce sinker and some chicken necks for bait.

The prime location for crabbing is off a dock into a tidal creek. Here are a few favorite Lowcountry crabbing spots:

HILTON HEAD ISLAND

Buckingham Boat Landing (55 Fording Island Road Extension)

Burkes Beach Inlet (on the access road from Burkes Beach Road)

C.C. Haigh Jr. Boat Landing (1640 Fording Island Road Extension)

Cross Island Boat Landing (68 Helmsman Way)

Marshland Road Public Boat Landing (97 Marshland Road, just before the Old Oyster Factory)

Shelter Cove Marina (1 Shelter Cove Lane)

BLUFFTON

Alljoy Boat Landing (265 Alljoy Road)

Bluffton Oyster Factory Park (75 Wharf Street)

Bluffton Public Dock (113 Calhoun Street)

H.E. Trask Sr. Boat Landing (325 Sawmill Creek Road)

OKATIE

Camp St. Mary’s Fishing Pier (119 Camp St. Mary’s Road)

Edgar Glenn Boat Landing (305 Okatie Highway)

DAUFUSKIE ISLAND

Bloody Point (Fuskie Lane)

Daufuskie Island Boat Landing & Daufuskie Landing Fixed Pier (13 Haigh Point Road)

New Daufuskie Beach Access (Turtle Beach Road)

Old Daufuskie Beach Access (Beach Road)

Pappy’s Landing (Pappy’s Landing Road)

BEAUFORT

Broad River Fishing Pier (1000 Robert Smalls Parkway)

Parris Island Boat Landing (21 Marina Blvd)

Crabs are an important part of the Lowcountry’s abundant natural resources. If you do not intend to eat what you catch, practice catch and release.

Enjoy your crabby day!