So, you want to go crabbing in South Carolina. Is finding a spot the only thing stopping you? Well, look no further!
I’ve written several articles about various crabbing spots in South Carolina. For this post, I took them all and put them in a clickable map, and selected 8 of my favorite spots and showcased them here.
I compiled these spots into a readable map. Find the spot closest to you and get going! Crabbing awaits!
Crabbing Spots in South Carolina (Map)
Whether you’re a newbie looking for your first crabbing spot or a seasoned crabber who’s still searching for their perfect crabbing spot, you are sure to benefit from this post. I did some research and found over 50 perfect crabbing spots in the state of South Carolina.
Each pinpoint on the map has the address and a little bit of info for each spot.
SC Crabbing Spots (Expanded)
Want to know a little bit about each spot? Like where to park, when crabs typically run in this spot, and more helpful information? I highly recommend you click the button below to check out the archive:
It’s a list of all my articles pertaining to various crabbing spots across SC. I wrote posts like: “Where to go crabbing on Hilton Head Island” and “The Complete Crabbing Guide to Myrtle Beach.”
The Top 5 Crabbing Spots South Carolina Has to Offer
Over the past month, I’ve been researching public crabbing spots all over the South Carolina Atlantic Coast. I found over 60 amazing spots, but I realized that it can make it difficult for people to choose which one.
So, after a painful process of narrowing down my favorite spots, I came up with my top 5 Crabbing Spots in South Carolina.
Keep in mind that these spots are in no particular ranking order, they are just five of my favorite spots. I tried to spread them out along the coast to make them accessible to everyone.
James Island County Park Pier
Starting out with the southernmost spot on our list, we have James Island County Park Pier. It’s a quaint little fishing and crabbing pier that’s minutes away from Charleston.
You find people from all over the Charleston area at this spot. It’s far enough away from the beaches to bypass the tourists and contain more happy locals. Honestly, I may not be welcome in Charleston after giving away one of their top-notch crabbing spots!
The pier is especially low to the water which makes hand lines super easy to maneuver. If you’re new to crabbing and you’re from the Charleston Area, this could be a great spot for you!
This would be my go-to spot if you plan to bring kids along for the trip. The pier is a part of James Island County Park, which is filled with hiking trails and playgrounds.
I’ve taken my younger siblings crabbing and I’ve found that when the crabs don’t bite, they easily get bored and discouraged. It’s always smart to have a playground around as a failsafe. That’s some pro-crabbing advice so be sure to write that down!
Melton Peter Demetre Park
Melton Peter Demetre Park is another outstanding crabbing spot. By the way, I had no idea Demetre was spelled like that!
The park has a fishing pier that works great for crabbing. It’s a little high up compared to the last spot, so you’ll have to use collapsible traps instead of hand lines. You can get away with hand lines if you’re crabbing from the boat landing, but don’t rely on that. If there’s a boat in the way, you’re out of luck!
Another thing is that the current may be a bit stronger. I’ve never crabbed there myself, so I can’t say for certain. Either way, a little bit of extra weight never hurt anyone. Tie piece of rebar or a few sinkers to the bottom of your trap to add weight. Fishermen use a few pounds in the ocean so 1 pound of extra weight should do the trick on rougher days.
You’re right on the water with a great view of Charleston to the North West. If you get bored of crabbing, there’s a nice beach where people go to collect seashells and enjoy the outdoors.
This spot has picnic tables close by the pier, which is a big plus if you ask me. I can imagine a great temperate day of sitting by the water, eating some lunch, then going crabbing.
Pickett Park
Our next spot is the notorious Pickett Park. We’re on the opposite part of the Charleston harbor from before. This spot is at the mouth of miles and miles of tidal marsh, which is amazing for crabbing.
Despite being so close to the city, it’s away from most of the excitement and noise you’ll find in Charleston. You won’t only be crabbing in a spot with lots of crabs, but it will also have great views and scenic vibes. It’s a bizarre switch from bustling Charleston to marsh grasses, salty air, and lots of humidity .
Again, you’re a bit high off the water. For this spot you are going to have to use collapsible traps. There’s an exceptional amount of pier space, so you can cover plenty of water when the pier isn’t too crowded. From what I hear, it never really is.
I wouldn’t bring kids unless they’ve proven to behave on previous crabbing trips. Unlike before where the spots had other attractions, this one is straight crabbing. This is great if you’re focused on crabbing, not as great if you are planning a family day trip.
Morse Park Landing
Finally! A spot that isn’t in the Charleston Area. We’re also in Murrel’s Inlet, which is notorious for its blue crabs.
Morse Park Landing is a small park, but it has a convenient crabbing pier. If you can snag the pier when it isn’t too crowded with avid recreational crabbers, it can be a great crabbing spot.
The dock is very easy to access. Parking is just steps away from the pier, so you don’t have to haul anything like you would with other spots on this list. Another pro is that it’s on a calmer spot in the inlet, which means you don’t have to worry about weighing down your traps.
In fact, a couple hand lines would do just fine here. Collapsible traps would work during high tide, so be sure to check the tides before you go crabbing.
Myrtle Beach State Park Pier
The last spot on our list is Myrtle Beach State Park Pier. Their fishing pier is awesome for crabbing. It’s way too high off of the water, but I’ve never heard of anyone manage to use hand lines in the ocean anyway.
Here, you need to use collapsible traps. Ring nets will do wonders for the first time crabber, but if you’re more serious you should try some box or topless traps. These are, in my opinion, the best traps for blue crabs. Check out my Best Traps for Blue Crabs page for more information.
If you’re going crabbing here, go early in the morning! Tourists like to swarm the area as the day goes on.
The only negative to this spot, compared to the others, is that parking will cost you. It’s like any other state park where you pay an entrance fee. Just know that your contribution goes to SC state parks and environmental protection. By going crabbing here, you’re actually supporting the SC blue crab population.
Going crabbing for the first time?
Is this your first time going crabbing? Well, I’ve worked hard on Crabbinghub.com and stuffed it with plenty of resources to make crabbing easy for anyone. I highly recommend you check out my guides on how to go crabbing. Click one of the following buttons to read more!