The Complete Crabbing Guide: Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach, one of the most popular vacation spots on the east coast and the hub of the Grand Strand, a 60-mile string of white sandy beaches.  

While Myrtle Beach is known for its amusement rides and golf courses, it’s also a great place to go crabbing! South Carolina, along with Louisiana and The Chesapeake Bay, supports the largest Blue Crab fisheries in the United States.

Keep reading for a checklist of everything you need for your crabbing trip, South Carolina’s rules and regulations for blue crabbing, and where to go crabbing in Myrtle Beach.

What to Bring

Although it may seem complicated to first-time crabbers, preparing for a trip can be very easy and manageable. For starters, bring whatever you would take for a day on the boardwalk. Sunscreen, waters, and a sunhat are three great examples. Also, be sure to bring your swimsuit and a towel for swimming! You are at Myrtle Beach, after all.  

You will also need a fair share of crabbing supplies. Some piers will sell crab bait and traps at their bait/gift shop, but it’s always helpful to come prepared. Here are four crabbing essentials and a little information for each:

• 1 to 4 Crab Trap(s)
• Bait
• A Cooler
• Safety Supplies & a First Aid Kit

Crab Traps

No matter where you go crabbing, you’re going to need some kind of trap. It can be anything from a handline to a crab snare, as long that it fits your location.

For example, if you plan to go crabbing from a pier which is above the water, I recommend using star traps, box traps, and ring nets. They work best when you are situated above deeper water, rather than a shallow shoreline.

On the other hand, if you’re on a shoreline with a flat, sandy sea bottom you can use handlines and crab snares. They work perfectly in shallow water.

If you’re crabbing somewhere you feel safe leaving a trap unsupervised, you can also use a crab pot. I do not recommend using a crab pot on any public pier.   

For some traps, you may want to bring more than one. For example, if I’m using handlines or ring nets I sometimes use 3 or 4. They’re dirt cheap, and more traps give you a better chance of catching crabs!

Bait

You can’t catch a crab without the proper bait. Crabs will eat any type of oily meat you can find. The most popular baits are poultry gizzards and dead fish.

The main goal is to appeal to the crab’s sense of smell. That’s how they search for their meals. If your bait is fresh, smelly meat (not rancid) it will do fine.

It’s easy to overthink this part. Any freshly caught fish or thawed chicken from the grocery store will do just fine. If you have any more questions, feel free to check out my crabbing bait guide https://crabbinghub.com/whats-the-best-bait-for-crabbing/here.

Cooler

You can’t go crabbing with a cooler or bucket to hold your crabs. Your freshly caught crustaceans need a cool, damp place to rest where they won’t be dried out or agitated.

Keep the cooler out of direct sunlight and well ventilated. Blue crabs can stay alive out of water for up to 24 hours as long as they are kept cool and moist.

Safety Supplies & A First Aid Kit

The first thing you think about when you hear the word crab is its pinchers. Every crab has a nasty pinch which could put a damper on your crabbing trip.  

The best way to avoid a pinch is to be cautious. Handle each crab with care and be aware of everyone around you. If you are interested in learning how to properly hold a crab, check out my quick and easy https://crabbinghub.com/how-to-hold-a-crab-never-get-pinched-again/guide.

Even though it might just be a small pinch, sometimes it can leave a bruise or even draw blood. It is always good to be prepared. Be sure to bring a first aid kit with all the necessary supplies to clean and treat a cut.

This is completely optional, but you may also want to bring tongs to hold crabs, especially if this is your first time going crabbing. Gloves also do wonders and by making sure a pinch won’t penetrate your skin.

Crabbing Regulations SC

To protect South Carolina’s blue crab population, it’s essential that you follow its rules and regulations. For the most updated information, check out http://www.dnr.sc.gov/regs/crabregs.htmlSouth Carolina’s DNR (Department of Natural Resources).

It’s very important to know which crabs you can and cannot keep in South Carolina. As of January 2019, it is legal to catch male and female crabs with a width of at least 5” from point to point. Any female crab bearing eggs must be thrown back to unharmed immediately.

If you have trouble telling apart a male and female crab, be sure to check out this http://igotyourcrabs.com/crabblab/?p=34article.

When crabbing, a saltwater fishing license is required, unless you are using 3 or fewer drop nets, fold up traps (star & box traps), and handlines. Don’t have a license! Don’t worry! I found three Myrtle Beach Piers where you do not need a license to go crabbing.

Where to go

Myrtle Beach Piers

You don’t need to drive an hour south of Myrtle Beach to go crabbing, you can do that right here! Myrtle Beach is home to several fishing piers which welcome recreational crabbing.

Just a tip, I recommend using ring nets when crabbing on public piers. The trap works best when you are on a pier above the water. You can also use star traps, box traps, and crab snares. However, you cannot use crab pots or at least leave a pot at the pier without you attending it.

Be sure to contact any one of the three piers if you have questions.

Apache Campground Pier

Apache Campground Pier is the first on our list. It’s the East Coast’s longest wooden pier and a popular spot for saltwater fishing, live entertainment, and crabbing!

They sell ring nets in their bait & tackle shop along with any bait you may need. If you’d like, you’re allowed to bring your own traps. I recommend using ring nets, star traps, and box traps.  Also, you can use crab snares if you have a heavy duty fishing rod.

It costs $1.00 for adults to walk on the pier, and children are free. Parking costs $5.00 but prices may vary. A fishing pass costs $9.50.

During the summer, hours are 6am to midnight. Check out Apache Pier’s website for winter spring and fall hours.

They sell crabbing nets at their gift shop, but you will need to bring your own bait.

Address: Apache Pier, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572

Phone: 843. 497. 6486

You can check out their website at http://www.theapachepier.com/.

Second Avenue Pier

Being the southern anchor of Myrtle Beach’s famous boardwalk, Second Avenue Pier is the perfect spot for a crabbing trip. Along with its breathtaking views and sandy beaches, it’s home to an open air-bar and the Pier House Restaurant.

It costs $1.00 admission to walk on the pier. A fishing pass, or in this case a crabbing pass, costs $8.00. Fishing rods are available for rent at $9.65 plus a $10.00 deposit. Bait costs $5.00, but if you’re going crabbing I recommend bringing your own bait.

The pier is open from 7AM to 9PM. Hours may change in the winter.

Address: 110 Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Phone: 843-445-PIER (7437)

For more information, check out their website at http://secondavenuepier.com/.

Cherry Grove Beach Pier

Cherry Grove Beach Pier in North Myrtle Beach was built in the 1950s and stands strong until this day. The pier calls fishermen for miles, all hoping to top the last biggest catch.

This is one of my favorite spots to go crabbing in Myrtle Beach. Not only do they welcome anyone out to catch blue crabs, but they also sell crab nets ($6.00) and bait (price varies) in their bait shop.

It costs $3.00 walk on the pier. A fishing pass is $3.00 and $7.50 per fishing pole. To rent a pole, it costs $24.00 a day plus a $30.00 deposit.

The pier is open Sunday through Thursday from 6 am to midnight and 6 am to 2 am on Friday and Saturday. Hours change with the seasons, so feel free to contact the pier and check their website with any questions.

Address: 3500 North Ocean Boulevard · North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582

Phone: 843-249-1625

For more information, check out their website at http://www.cherrygrovepier.com/.  

Myrtle Beach State Park

On the south end of Myrtle Beach lies Myrtle Beach State Park. It’s a quiet green escape from the busy amusement rides and beach. Tourists come for miles for its relaxing wooded atmosphere and white, sandy beaches. It’s also home to Myrtle Beach Pier, a great spot for breathtaking views, fishing, and crabbing.

The park is open daily from 6am-10am from March to November and 6am-8pm from December to February.

NOTE: No recreational fishing license is required to go crabbing on the pier at Myrtle Beach State Park.  

Admission is $5.00 per adult, $3.25 per senior citizen (age 65 & older), and $3 per child (age 6-15). Children under 5 have free entry.  

Unless you try crab snaring along the shoreline, you’ll be doing most your crabbing on the pier. Ring nets are $5, and crab bait varies in pricing at the pier gift shop located here. Accessing the pier costs extra admission. Check prices and more things to do at Myrtle Beach State Park at its website here.

The State Park has made crabbing very easy for any beginner. Park Rangers and friendly locals are happy to answer any questions you may have to make your crabbing trip a day to remember.

The park also hosts fun and informative nature programs through June to August where kids and parents alike can learn how to catch crabs off the pier. Check the Park’s website here for more information.