Where to go Crabbing in Norfolk, VA (Secret Spots)
Have you ever wondered where to go crabbing in Norfolk, Virginia? I did when visiting the area, but the results on Google showed people catching Dungeness crabs. If you’re from the area and know the first thing about crabbing, you should know that you catch Blue Crabs in Virginia, not Dungeness.
So, I saw this question needed answering. While I was in the area, I asked around and found 9 spots where you can set some crab traps and hopefully catch a crab dinner!
Throughout this article, I’ll go over several methods of catching blue crabs. These include handlines and collapsible traps. Click here to read my guide on handlines and here to read my guide on collapsible traps. In each of these guides, I include helpful photos and lessons I’ve learned from crabbing with each method. I highly recommend starting with either one if you are a beginner crabber.
After you have an idea of what method you’d like to use to go crabbing, go ahead and pick a spot from this list.
Before Anything, Consider a Fishing Charter.
Crabbing isn’t overly complicated, but it can be overwhelming for anyone going on their first trip. You will need to buy licenses, gear, and bait to catch the crabs. Once you catch the crabs, you will need a cooler and steamer to cook them. This will add up in price, and it’s a lot to carry around. I’m also going to assume you’re vacationing here, and don’t have all this stuff on hand.
I don’t say this to deter you from crabbing, but it’s something you have to keep in mind. I recommend you ask yourself why you’re going crabbing. If you just want an experience on the water and don’t plan to make this a regular activity, I do not recommend investing all that time and money in stuff you’ll never use again.
On top of the price tag, there’s still a learning curve. If you’re new to crabbing, I wouldn’t bet on bringing in a bushel of blue crabs on your first try. It takes some experience to get good at crabbing.
Hearing all this may sound a bit discouraging, but I have a solution for you. Beginners will benefit by going crabbing and fishing with a knowledgeable guide. A fishing charter is exactly that. On a charter boat, you do not need to buy any gear as they will provide for you. This includes bait, traps, and sometimes even fishing licenses.
On Fishingbooker, you can browse hundreds of Captains in your area. The site is kind of like Airbnb but for fishermen. Instead of their house, they list their boat. On a trip, they’ll take you out on their boat, help you catch fish or crabs, and teach you a thing or two along the way. At the end of the day, most charters will fillet your catch and let you take it home. You get a cool experience and a meal at the end of the day. If you’re interested, Click here to browse fishing charters on FishingBooker.com (Affiliate Link).
Bennett’s Creek Park
Bennett’s Creek Park is just a 20-minute drive from center-city Norfolk and is based along Bennett Creek (obviously). This creek feeds into the Nansemond River, which is usually fully brackish and crab-active once summer starts.
You’ll find a clean, spacious, low-lying fishing pier here that is perfect for crabbing with collapsible traps. Handlines may be a bit more difficult due to the railing along the pier. The pier also has benches and trashcans, which really come in handy while crabbing. Personally, I believe Bennett’s Creek Park is the go-to spot for crabbing with children in Norfolk. Not only is the pier safe, but children do better with collapsible traps because they require less technique than handlines.
The pier is very close to the parking lot, which is a big plus. You don’t have to carry your crabbing gear very far. It also comes equipped with porta-potty restrooms.
Elizabeth River Boat Landing and Park
Next up is another child-friendly crabbing pier that is a bit more local than the previous spot. Elizabeth River Boat Landing & Park offers a 200-foot pier that is great for using collapsible traps. It’s located just beneath the South Norfolk Jordan Bridge, so it will be a bit noisier than other spots on this post.
A great selling point of this location is its amenities. There are well-kept restrooms, plenty of parking, playgrounds, and walking trails. The parking lot is a bit further away than I’d prefer, but it’s a great spot to catch some blue crabs.
Portsmouth City Park Fishing Pier
As one of the nicest, longest, and widest fishing piers on this list, Portsmouth City Park Fishing Pier is a big contender for the best crabbing spot in the Norfolk area. It has its own dedicated parking on your first right when you enter the park. There, you’ll find plenty of parking and generally well-kept restrooms.
The pier doesn’t have any benches or trashcans on the pier, but you have plenty of room to go crabbing. I would use collapsible traps here as there are handrails that make using handlines difficult. There are two mini piers on either side of the main fishing pier, handlines could be used there.
One thing I dislike about this spot is the amount of foot traffic. You may be faced with competing crabbers or anglers.
Ocean View Fishing Pier on 20th Bay St
This spot is located just a mile away from Little Creek Channel, where Little Creek meets the massive Chesapeake Bay. You’ll be sure to get plenty of crabbing action here during the summer. It’s also a lesser-known spot, so don’t expect too many competing crabbers.
I would use collapsible traps here, as there is a railing that would make handlines difficult. There’s some shoreline where you can use handlines, but people usually walk and play here. This would get in the way of crabbing.
There are restrooms and plenty of parking at the community center, as well as a playground and picnic benches.
Granby Street Bridge
Grandby Street Bridge is a local secret, and as close to the center of Norfolk as you’re going to get. This is the first location that I would not recommend bringing children, as there are no amenities other than fishing and crabbing.
Getting to this spot isn’t as straightforward as the others. Park on the South side of the pier at one of the local businesses and parking lots, then walk to the pier. Stay on the sidewalk and start to walk across the bridge, heading North. When you get one-third of the way across the bridge, there will be a small entrance to the staircase leading beneath the bridge, which will take you to the fishing and crabbing spot. A little sketchy, I understand. But this is as secret as the secret local spots get!
Here you can cast your fishing rod and set a few collapsible traps. I’d recommend packing a folding chair, a cooler, and anything else to keep you occupied as it’s a hassle to get back to your car.
Fort Monroe Fishing Pier
Now we’re getting into nearby spots, such as this pier in Hampton. I get it, it’s no fun to go across the Elizabeth through the tunnels, but there are a few great-quality piers to go crabbing from here.
Fort Monroe has plenty of history and plenty of crabbing. You can pull your vehicle right up to the pier so that you do not have to carry your crabbing gear very far. From there, you can go crabbing on its 300-foot fishing pier.
I would use collapsible traps here, as the pier is a bit too high off the water to catch crabs with string. I would also set up shop at the end of the pier as it’s a bit too rocky near the shore. You don’t want your traps getting caught in the water, and they can’t always open or close properly in rocky water.
King-Lincoln Park Fishing Pier
King-Lincoln Park Fishing Pier is a thin, yet sturdy, pier stretching over 500ft into the Elizabeth River. Here, you’ll have no problem finding a spot to set your crab traps on less-popular weekdays and non-holidays.
I would use collapsible traps here, and add some weight to these traps. The Elizabeth can get rough and this is a very fast-moving spot compared to others on this list. This also means more crabs! Blue crabs like to swim with the current to save energy.
I like that there is plenty of parking at this spot, as well as well-kept public restrooms. If you’d like to bring children who may get bored of crabbing, there are playgrounds, walking trails, tennis courts, and plenty of other things to do at this spot.
James River Fishing Pier
We’re a bit further away from Norfolk, but take a minute to check out this pier on Google Maps. It stretches over 2000 ft into the James River, with plenty of railing to tie your collapsible traps to. You can also expect great fishing here and friendly input from other anglers.
Parking is right at the base of the pier, and there is plenty of it. On busier days, such as weekends and holidays, it may spill over to the boat ramp section. Like every spot on this list, get here early to make sure you have the spot for yourself.
There’s a small beach here called Huntington Beach. You can also go swimming here if you so choose. This spot comes with public restrooms.
James T. Wilson Fishing Pier
Last, but definitely not least, we have James T. Wilson Fishing Pier. This spot comes with a fee to use the pier, unlike other spots, but is a well-kept and highly reviewed spot in Hampton, VA. I recommend this spot to anyone without a fishing license. The fee covers this cost, so you do not need a fishing license to go crabbing or fishing here.
The spot comes with public restrooms at the base of the pier, and plenty of parking. The best method of crabbing here is collapsible traps, as the pier is a bit too high for handlines. It’s too popular of a spot to leave a crab pot.
Check out more crabbing spots in Virginia
There are plenty of other spots to go crabbing in Virginia. Check out my article: Where to go Crabbing in Virginia (The Complete List).
