Where to go Crabbing in Pensacola, Florida
Have you ever wondered where to go crabbing in Pensacola, Florida? I did some research and found three spots that will work for any beginner. You won’t need a boat or kayak to go out and catch some crabs. Some spots do not even require that you have a fishing license!
Before I get started, I want to mention that I will use the terms handlines and collapsible traps very often in this post. These are methods of catching crabs from shore, and I explain them fully in these guides:
- How to Catch Blue Crabs With a String (Handlines Guide)
- How to go Crabbing with Folding Traps (Collapsible Traps)
I recommend you read them once you have a spot in mind. Now, let’s go over these three crabbing spots.
Fort Pickens Campground
Fort Pickens is a crabbing hotspot in the Pensacola area. It has a fishing pier for collapsible traps and miles of shoreline where you can go crabbing with a net and handlines.
The pier is where I recommend beginners go to catch crabs. You will need to invest in a few collapsible traps (5 is the limit in Florida). Click here to read about the FoxyMate folding trap that I recommend to beginners. Given there is enough room, you can set your collapsible traps across the pier and pull in dozens of blue crabs.
Another spot to go crabbing in Fort Pickins is along the shore. If you head West of the fishing pier and Fort Picken’s Jetty, you will find a stretch of shallow, sandy shoreline. There, you can wade in the water and set up handlines. These are baited strings that you place in the water to lure crabs towards you. Just scoop them up with a net and you have yourself some blue crabs! Click here to read my guide: How to Catch Blue Crabs With a String (Handlines Guide) for more information.
There are well-kept public restrooms at this spot with plenty of parking. There is a small fee to enter this part, but this covers the cost of a fishing license at the fishing pier. All in all, this is a great spot to spend the day crabbing and on the water.
Bob Sikes Fishing Pier
Bob Sikes Fishing Pier is the perfect spot to use collapsible traps in Pensacola. The pier is the older bridge, renovated into a 1700ft fishing pier stretching into English Navy Cove. With this, you will have more than enough room to place a few traps and catch crabs.
The water will be rougher here than in other spots, so I recommend you tie some weight to your traps to make sure they stay in one spot. You park your vehicle on the South end of the pier, where you will also find restrooms.
Innerarity Point Park Pier
Last, but not least, is Innerarity Point Park. It’s a quieter spot compared to the other two spots, and doubles as a boat ramp if you’d like to launch a kayak or small boat while crabbing. There is a fishing pier here that is smaller than the other two on this list, but the water is in a calmer spot. You can also wade into the water here and use handlines along the shore.
The park also comes with amentities such as a playground, pavillions, and grills. It’s a great spot to bring children if the crabbing gets slow. I’ve also seen people bring small steaming pots to park grills and cooking their catch. Be sure to check out my article on picking the right-sized crab steamer if you’re interested.
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).
