Best Crabbing Spots at the Jersey Shore 2026
Catch your own blue crabs. The best docks, bridges, and bay spots for recreational crabbing.
14
Spots
4
Barnegat Bay
4
Regions
A Shore Tradition
Crabbing is a Jersey Shore tradition. Families have been pulling blue crabs from Barnegat Bay for generations—it's affordable, fun, and you get a delicious reward for your efforts.
No license needed. Unlike fishing, recreational crabbing in New Jersey requires no license. Just grab some chicken necks, a trap or hand line, and head to the bay. The daily limit is one bushel per person.
Barnegat Bay is the premier destination—miles of accessible shoreline with abundant blue crabs. Great Bay and the Cape May back bays offer excellent alternatives with fewer crowds. Peak season runs July through September.
Barnegat Bay
The premier crabbing destination in New Jersey
Barnegat Bay (General)
Various · Barnegat Bay
The largest and most productive crabbing waters in New Jersey. Miles of shoreline, marshes, and channels.
- ✓Best crabbing in NJ
- ✓Miles of access points
- ✓Abundant blue crabs
- ✓Multiple towns access
Typical session: 2-4 hours
Tices Shoal
Beach Haven · Barnegat Bay
Popular crabbing spot accessible by boat. Shallow waters with excellent crab populations.
- ✓Excellent crab numbers
- ✓Boat access
- ✓Shallow waters
- ✓Consistent catches
Typical session: 3-4 hours
Cedar Run Dock Road
Manahawkin · Barnegat Bay
Public dock and shoreline access. Great for families with easy parking and shallow water.
- ✓Public dock access
- ✓Easy parking
- ✓Family-friendly
- ✓Good catches
Typical session: 2-3 hours
Waretown Creek
Waretown · Barnegat Bay
Tidal creek with excellent crabbing. Less crowded than main bay spots.
- ✓Tidal creek crabbing
- ✓Less crowded
- ✓Good for traps
- ✓Scenic marsh area
Typical session: 2-4 hours
Great Bay Area
Excellent crabbing with fewer crowds
Great Bay
Tuckerton · Great Bay
Expansive bay with excellent crabbing throughout. Less crowded than Barnegat Bay with equally good catches.
- ✓Less crowded
- ✓Excellent catches
- ✓Marsh channels
- ✓Multiple access points
Typical session: 3-4 hours
Tuckerton Seaport
Tuckerton · Great Bay
Historic seaport with dock crabbing. Perfect for families—easy access, parking, and restrooms.
- ✓Dock crabbing
- ✓Family-friendly
- ✓Restrooms available
- ✓Historic setting
Typical session: 2-3 hours
Mullica River
Port Republic · Great Bay
Tidal river with good crabbing, especially on incoming tide. Launch kayaks for the best access.
- ✓River crabbing
- ✓Kayak friendly
- ✓Incoming tide best
- ✓Scenic setting
Typical session: 3-4 hours
Cape May County
Back bays and harbors with good crabbing
Cape May Harbor
Cape May · Cape May
Harbor area with good dock crabbing. Crabs congregate around the fishing boats.
- ✓Harbor dock access
- ✓Near fishing fleet
- ✓Good catches
- ✓Cape May charm
Typical session: 2-3 hours
Wildwood Back Bays
Wildwood · The Wildwoods
Extensive back bay system with excellent crabbing. Access from various docks and bridges.
- ✓Extensive bay system
- ✓Multiple access points
- ✓Good catches
- ✓Near Wildwood attractions
Typical session: 2-4 hours
Stone Harbor Back Bay
Stone Harbor · Seven Mile Island
Upscale town with good bay access for crabbing. Less crowded than Wildwood bays.
- ✓Bay access
- ✓Less crowded
- ✓Beautiful setting
- ✓Good catches
Typical session: 2-3 hours
Grassy Sound
North Wildwood · The Wildwoods
Tidal sound between North Wildwood and Stone Harbor. Excellent crabbing from bridges and shores.
- ✓Bridge crabbing
- ✓Strong tidal flow
- ✓Good numbers
- ✓Easy access
Typical session: 2-4 hours
Delaware Bay
Different experience with potential for larger crabs
Delaware Bay Beaches
Various · Delaware Bay
Delaware Bay side offers different crabbing with larger catches possible. Beach crabbing with traps.
- ✓Larger crabs possible
- ✓Beach access
- ✓Less crowded
- ✓Different species mix
Typical session: 3-4 hours
Fortescue
Fortescue · Delaware Bay
Small fishing village on Delaware Bay with good crabbing from docks and by boat.
- ✓Fishing village charm
- ✓Dock crabbing
- ✓Boat access
- ✓Authentic experience
Typical session: 3-4 hours
Maurice River
Port Norris · Delaware Bay
Historic oystering area with excellent crabbing in the river and adjacent bay.
- ✓River crabbing
- ✓Historic area
- ✓Good catches
- ✓Oyster heritage
Typical session: 3-4 hours
Crabbing Tips
Check the Tides
Crabbing is best during moving water. Time your trip for incoming or outgoing tide—not slack tide.
Bring Chicken Necks
Chicken necks are the most reliable and easy-to-use bait. Buy them at any grocery store.
Use a Crab Gauge
Crabs must be 4.5 inches point-to-point. Keep a gauge handy to measure—undersized crabs are released.
Wear Gloves
Blue crabs have sharp claws. Work gloves protect your hands when handling crabs.
Keep Crabs Cool
Bring a cooler with ice. Crabs should be kept cold and alive until you're ready to cook them.
Go Early or Late
Dawn and dusk are the most productive times. Avoid the hottest part of the day.
Essential Crabbing Gear
Collapsible Crab Trap
Easy to store and transport. NJ allows manually operated traps.
Crab Scoop Net
For scooping crabs off docks and jetties.
Crabbing Gloves
Protect hands from pinches and sharp shells.
Bait Cage / Container
Hold bait securely in your trap.
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FAQ
Do I need a license to go crabbing in New Jersey?
No license is required for recreational crabbing in New Jersey. You can use up to 2 traps per person. The daily limit is 1 bushel of crabs per person.
What is the best time of year for crabbing in NJ?
Peak crabbing season is July through September when blue crabs are most active. You can start catching crabs in late May and continue through October, weather permitting.
What is the best time of day to go crabbing?
Early morning (dawn to 9am) and late afternoon (4pm to dusk) are best. Crabs are more active during incoming and outgoing tides. Avoid the hottest part of the day.
What bait should I use for crabbing?
Chicken necks, bunker (menhaden), and fish heads work best. Chicken necks are easiest to find and handle. Some crabbers swear by raw chicken legs or turkey necks.
What size crabs can I keep in New Jersey?
Blue crabs must be at least 4.5 inches point-to-point across the shell. Females with eggs (sponge crabs) must be released. The daily limit is 1 bushel per person.
What equipment do I need for crabbing?
Basic gear includes: crab traps or hand lines, bait (chicken necks), a bucket or bushel basket, a crab gauge to measure, and work gloves. A cooler with ice keeps crabs fresh.
Can I crab from the beach?
Crabs live in bay waters, not the ocean. You'll need to crab from docks, bridges, or boats in bay areas like Barnegat Bay, Great Bay, or Delaware Bay.
Where can I buy crabbing supplies at the shore?
Bait and tackle shops throughout the shore sell crab traps, lines, and bait. Walmart and hardware stores also carry basic crabbing gear. Many marinas sell fresh bunker for bait.
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