Where to go Crabbing at Mt. Pleasant, SC
Mt. Pleasant, just across the Cooper River from Charleston, is home to plenty of saltwater marshes and tidal creeks. It’s the perfect spot to catch blue crabs in Charleston County Area.
Don’t think because you don’t have your own pier or water access that you can’t catch a crab dinner. I did some research and found several outstanding public spots to go crabbing at Mt. Pleasant SC.
You can go crabbing anywhere that has access to shallow, calm, and brackish water where crabs thrive. Four excelling public crabbing spots at Mt. Pleasant are Pickett Park, Palmetto Islands County Park, Shem Creek Park, and Mt. Pleasant Pier.
Let’s look a bit more into each location, what is and what isn’t great about them, and a few tips to guarantee a successful crabbing trip.
Pickett Park
You’ve never seen a spot more perfect for going crabbing. The park’s quaint fishing dock stretches far out into the saltwater marshes was literally built for recreational crabbers and fishermen. You’re right above saltwater marshes and tidal creeks where blue crabs like to call home.
The park itself, a long and narrow stretch of land, is a great spot for handlines. You’re a few feet just above deeper water, which is a great spot for hand lines and dip nets. It also has beautiful views, palm trees for shade, and even park benches for when your feet get tired.
Parking is free, which is a big plus in my book. The spot can get a little crowded on weekends, but it has plenty of room for everyone to go crabbing. The only downside I can find to this spot is the lack of activities for the younger ones. Be sure to bring plenty of ring nets and hand lines to peak their interest.
Let’s look at my #1 choice spot to go crabbing with kids.
Palmetto Islands County Park
Palmetto Islands County Park on Google Maps
If you’re looking for a true outdoor adventure for your crabbing trip, you’ve come to the right place. The park has plenty of low-lying wooden piers that connect the many islands over the tidal creeks and marshes, a perfect spot for using hand lines and ring nets. I recommend bringing your bike or walking shoes to help you get around.
I recommend packing light. A backpack stuffed with 5 or 6 ring nets or hand lines will do just fine. Most of the crabbing spots are far away from parking, so be prepared to carry your supplies long distances. I recommend the complete necessities: your traps, tongs, bait and a crab gauge. If you’re using hand lines be sure to bring a dip net.
Also, consider bringing a cooler and ice packs to help transport the crabs you catch. They’ll last the whole day as long as you keep them damp and cool. Try not to submerge them, they don’t do well in still water.
You may want to bring a cast net to catch some shrimp. The park has plenty of access points to the marsh grass where tons of tiny, delicious shrimp like to hang out. Be sure to check with South Carolina’s shrimping regulations before you get started.
Parking and admission is very cheap. Prices are subject to change based on the time of year and during certain events, but all day parking and admission will set you back around $2.00. During the winter months (September to April) the park opens at 8am and closes at sunset, and during the summer months (May to August) the park is open from 8am to 8pm.
Besides crabbing, there’s plenty to do at the park. I recommend exploring the 943 acres of South Carolina nature and wildlife. You can take a walk or bike ride on the park’s mostly paved trails, and later settle down for a meal at the park’s many picnic tables and grills.
I recommend stopping at the park’s 50 ft observation tower with play area, and the Big Toy playground if you have kids to entertain. Seasonal water park, bike and boat rentals, and volleyball pits are just a few of the many activities found at Palmetto Island Park. Be sure to check it out!
Shem Creek Park
Shem Creek Park on Google Maps
Just a 10 minute drive from Charleston, Shem Creek Park has a low-lying pier that overlooks the saltwater marshes. It’s simply a recreational crabbers dream.
There’s plenty of free parking and no admission fee. The park is very clean and well kept with friendly visitors. You can take a walk along the long boardwalks over the marsh to docks on the water, go fishing, crabbinging, or just relax and look at the sunset. The park is open until midnight and the path is lit.
Besides crabbing, there is plenty to do at Shem Creek Park. You can watch dolphins along the docks on the water, rent paddleboards, and photograph the pretty shrimping boats. There are several outstanding restaurants nearby that serve incredible South Carolina dishes.
The pier can get a little crowded after setting up your ring nets and hand lines, so I don’t recommend bringing more than 5 of each. If you bring over 3, you will need a saltwater recreational fishing license, which you can purchase from the state’s DNR website for around $11.
Set Up your traps along more open and deeper water along the pier. You’ll have a much better chance catching crabs there instead of the muddy, shallow marsh grass. For example, this (Google Maps Link) is a great spot to setup some ring nets over the open water. It’s a little high up for hand lines, but will do just fine with box traps, ring nets, and pyramid traps. If the current is too strong and your traps start moving, throw a few rocks in your trap near your bait for extra weight.
I recommend that you bring a ruler or a crab gauge. You’re legally allowed to keep crabs that measure 5” or more from point to point on their carapace. If it’s a female crab and it has an orange sponge mass under its abdomen, you’re required to throw it back unharmed. That sponge mass is millions of tiny crab eggs which we want to repopulate the waters.
Mt. Pleasant Pier
Mt. Pleasant Pier on Google Maps
Just beneath the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge lies Mt. Pleasant Pier, a stunning, modern, and very clean fishing pier. It’s an outstanding spot to go fishing, crabbing, or take a nice walk and enjoy the view.
You’ll find nothing but great feedback from the pier’s visitors. There’s plenty to do and see. The pier is a popular spot for lunch or a picnic, and it sells food at its cafe and gift shop.
You’ll be crabbing on rougher waters compared to the other spots. I recommend bringing more heavy duty traps, such as box and star/pyramid traps. They’re cages instead of
One thing that stands out to me compared to the other locations on this list is the close proximity of the pier and parking. You’ll be able to transport your crabbing supplies to and from your vehicle without hassle. Also, it’s not a trek to the restroom unlike the other locations on this list.
This may not be the best place to bring your kids compared to Palmetto Islands and Shem Creek. There isn’t as much to do other than going crabbing, which takes a bit of patience. I recommend bringing lots of traps, and a few other activities for a more enjoyable crabbing trip.
Thompson Park
Thompson park is a great spot to go fishing and crabbing with its direct access to Breach Inlet, which feeds right into the Atlantic Ocean. People come for miles for its beautiful views and sandy beaches. It’s a great spot to take a walk, play in the sand, or photograph South Carolina’s beautiful coast. You’re sure to see plenty of beautiful dolphins and birds, which add to the experience.
However, crabbing here can be a bit harder than the other spots mentioned in this list. You’re not allowed to go in the water at Thompson Park due to dangerous currents and jellyfish in the area. So hand lines and ring nets are out of the picture, unless you manage to stay out of the water. It is the perfect spot, however, for crab snares. The relatively shallow and sandy-bottomed water surrounding the park makes it the best spot on this list to use snares.
South Carolina Crabbing Regulations
Before you grab your crab traps, you need to take a minute and familiarize yourself with South Carolina’s crabbing regulations. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, take a look at the SCDNR website.
South Carolina’s blue crab season is typically open through October 1st to Math 15th. You’re not allowed to go crabbing at night, only ½ an hour before sunrise through ½ after sunset.
To go crabbing, you will need a Saltwater Recreational Fishing License unless you use 3 or fewer ring nets or hand lines, each with a single bait (for example, a single chicken neck). You can buy one on the SCDNR website.
You’ll mainly be crabbing for blue crabs. They’re legally allowed to be kept if their carapace (the distance between their longest points on top of their shell) spans 5” or longer. Be sure to check whether the crab is male or female. If it’s a female crab with a sponge mass under its abdomen, you must throw it back unharmed.
Nearby Crabbing Spots in Charleston County, SC
Not a fan of these spots? Maybe you want to explore the rest of the Charleston County area? If so, be sure to check out these nearby crabbing spots.
Folly Island
If you take Route 171 south out of James Island, you’ll find yourself at a beautiful spot along the coast named Folly Island. The place is a popular tourist spot in the Charleston area, but still manages to keep a humble and family-friendly feel which attracts a great crowd.
The island has plenty of spots to go crabbing. On the north and south end, you’ll find county parks and reserves that welcome recreational crabbing. You’ll have more luck catching crabs in the saltwater marshes on the west side of the island.
You can also go crabbing on the Island’s fishing pier. It’s a great spot to spend the day on the beach and catch a crab dinner.
Click here to read our article: Where To Go Crabbing in Folly Island, SC for more information.
Charleston
Just southwest of Mt. Pleasant across the Cooper River you’ll find Charleston, one of the most popular and most busiest spots in South Carolina. You might think it would be hard to find a nice crabbing spot in this bustling city, but thanks to their beautiful park grounds you can easily catch a crab dinner without leaving the city limits.
Click here to read our article: Where To Go Crabbing in Charleston, SC for more information.
James Island
Right across the Folly Island Channel lies James Island. It’s basically a less-populated Mt. Pleasant, with plenty of saltwater marshes and tidal creeks to go crabbing. Here, you’ll find incredible park grounds and piers to go crabbing and access to marshlands to go shrimping.
Click here to read our article: Where to go Crabbing in James Island, SC for more information.
