Where to go Crabbing in Sarasota, Florida

You would think that being south of the busier Tampa, Florida that there would be more spots to go crabbing in Sarasota. You would be wrong! I had to dig deep to find these spots.

I focused on fishing piers because I’m assuming you’re a beginner crabber without a boat. No worries! Anyone can go crabbing with minimal gear and bring home a crab dinner. First, I’ll go over where to go crabbing in Sarasota. Afterward, I’ll briefly explain how and where you can learn more about crabbing.

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).

Hart’s Landing Fishing Pier

What better spot can you ask for than a 400-foot fishing pier with public restrooms? Stretching into Sarasota Bay, Hart’s Landing Fishing Pier is a great spot to set collapsible traps. It’s within walking distance of downtown and has plenty of other amenities in the adjacent Eloise Werlin Park such as a playground, walking trails, and a pavilion.

This spot is definitely kid-friendly. If crabbing gets boring, there are plenty of things to do besides it. For any adults who get bored, there is a bait shop that serves limited food and alcoholic beverage items. Coming to Hart’s Landing and Eloise Werlin Park is more of an experience than any other crabbing trip.

Parking is a pain here! With so much going on, you’d think the spot would have more capacity than 23 vehicles. Expect to have to park off-site during holidays or busy weekends. There are more spots a bit further East on 789 on your right at Island Park Dr. It’s a long walk, unfortunately.

Overlook Park

Overlook park has a nice spot to use collapsible traps to catch Blue and Stone crabs right at the mouth of Sarasota Bay. It’s not a fishing pier, but a sea-wall type spot. You will be about 5 feet above the water where it’s about 3 feet deep. At this vantage point, you can easily use collapsible traps.

Being this close to the gulf means the current will be stronger. To combat this, I would tie some rebar or another form of weight to your collapsible traps. That way, the current won’t be able to push your traps around with the tide changes.

This spot has its drawbacks. While it’s a great spot to set traps, it’s no secret. Expect competition from other fishermen or crabbers and try to get here early to secure your spot. You’re also right up against the 789 bridge, which can make this spot noisy. There are no amenities (such as playgrounds) besides fishing and crabbing, so I wouldn’t take any kids here who will get bored if crabbing is slow.

The main selling points of this spot are the small beach and how close your parking spot is to where you’re crabbing. I hate spots where I have to lug my crabbing gear over a long distance. Here, you can walk to and from your vehicle with ease. The small beach is nice for fishing and wading in the water.

Palma Sola Fishing Pier

Just off of Manatee Avenue is Palma Sola Fishing Pier and Boat Ramp. I recommend this spot to anyone who wants to try their luck crabbing or fishing in Palma Sota Bay. Here, you’ll find blue crabs, stone crabs, manatees, and more sea creatures.

At this spot, you can go crabbing from the pier with collapsible traps and handlines. You can also use handlines from any spot along the shore. Just pick a spot where no one else is wading in the water, and set some lines. Check out my guide How to Catch Blue Crabs With a String (Handlines Guide) for more information.

Parking is easy, you just pull to the side of the road. There is a playground, plenty of pavilions with park benches, grills, and more amenities. There are plenty of restrooms that have a reputation for being clean.

Osprey Fishing Pier

Last, but not least, is Osprey Fishing Pier. This spot is definitely the furthest from Sarasota on this list, but I’d like to include it because it is a quieter spot than the others mentioned on this list. It’s used mostly by locals and won’t attract the large crowds that some of the parks on this list will.

The pier is 100 feet long, well-kept, and in a safe area. The biggest complaint that I hear from this spot is the lack of parking and restrooms. You may have to park along Main St. if the three vehicle spaces are taken when you get there.

The spot is perfect for collapsible traps for both blue and stone crabs. I recommend setting traps up and down the pier without intruding on other anglers or crabbers.

What you need to know to get started crabbing.

I mentioned collapsible traps and handlines throughout this post. Now, I’ll finally show you what they are and how they’ll bring you endless crabs. I recommend you read my articles: How to go Crabbing with Folding Traps (Collapsible Traps) & How to Catch Blue Crabs With a String (Handlines Guide) for in-depth guides on both. Folding traps are the most beginner-friendly. So, I recommend starting there.

For this post, I’m going to assume you’re crabbing for Blue Crabs. Blue Crabs are active in Florida year-round, but it’s best to go crabbing when the water is above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This usually starts in Spring and lasts until Fall. I also recommend going crabbing two hours before high tide, so you can catch crabs when the water is moving most. This stirs up the crabs, making them easier to catch.

Stone crabs are another popular species of crab in Florida. They’re found in rocky, shaded areas. I’d expect to find them at the spots on this list where you’re under a bridge, such as Overlook Park or Hart’s Landing. Unlike Blue Crabs, you only keep one of the Stone Crab’s two claws and throw the crab back. Check out Florida’s crabbing regulations for more information such as size limits.

You will absolutely need to review Florida’s crabbing regulations before going crabbing. Click here to see my list of every state’s crabbing regulations.