Where to go Crabbing on Pawleys Island SC
Just a forty-five-minute trip south from Myrtle Beach, Pawley Island is a fisherman’s paradise. The humble island is known for its plentiful saltwater marshes where many fish and blue crabs call home. With water on every side and fishing piers galore, Pawley Island is a hotspot for fishermen and recreational crabbers alike.
My top three spots to go crabbing on Pawley Island are along the North Causeway Bridge, South Causeway Bridge, and on Georgetown County Lot at the south end of Pawley Island.
Blue crabs are just sitting there waiting to be caught! Let’s further look into the top three spots to go crabbing on Pawley Island.
My Top Three Spots
Starting from the North side of Pawley Island and working our way down, let’s start with North Causeway Bridge.
North Causeway Bridge
The first, most popular, public spot to go fishing and crabbing on Pawley Island is along North Causeway Rd, SC (Links to Google Maps). Specifically the North Causeway Bridge.
It’s a popular spot for most fishermen, and can get a little crowded sometimes. If you ever drive by you’ll most likely see a handful of people fishing along the North Causeway Bridge.
The bridge is a little high off the water, which would make using hand lines a little tricky. It is, however, a perfect spot to set up a few ring nets and meet some Pawley Island locals. If you’re new to ring nets, feel free to check out my guide.
A few more perfect traps would be star traps and box traps. They work best when you’re situated over deeper water, which makes the bridge a perfect spot. If you would like, you can also use crab pots. Just be warned there’s a chance someone could steal your crabs.
Don’t worry about parking. The bridge is in walking distance from the majority of the Island. There are also parking spots available along the road and where the road forks into the Town of Pawleys Island.
Here’s a diagram of where to park and go crabbing. The red lines mark public parking while the green lines mark the best spots to go fishing or crabbing.
Just keep in mind, you’re going to be fishing or crabbing alongside a busy road. If you plan taking children or pets, we have two better-suited locations coming up.
North Causeway not your style? No worries! Next up, we have South Causeway Bridge.
South Causeway Bridge
If you’re looking for a quieter, more peaceful place to go crabbing you should try the South Causeway Bridge (Links to Google Maps). Just south of N. Causeway Bridge, it’s smaller and lower to the ground.
This makes the bridge and marshes along the road perfect for hand lines. Four or five of each are just what you need for a nice crab dinner.
This bridge is less popular than N. Causeway, which makes me feel a little more comfortable leaving a crab pot overnight. Just be wary, those things like to grow legs and walk away when you least expect it.
The whole point is the experience. Bring a few nets, a nice book, and a comfy chair. You’ll never want to go home.
South Causeway has less parking than North Causeway. You’ll find parking spots where the road reaches the island as well as a few spots along the way.
Here’s another diagram with parking and where to go crabbing. Again, red marks parking and green marks where to go crabbing.
One thing to look out for is low tide. N Causeway’s waterway is much larger which makes this less of a problem. There’s less water at low tide which can make crabbing a muddy mess.
The trick is to time it right. Check the tides before you go crabbing and plan to set up right before slack tide. This is the time between high and low tide, when the water is moving the fastest.
You should aim for a slack tide that’s after low tide so your traps can stay submerged for hours to come. Slack tide is arguably the best time to go crabbing. It’s when the water is moving the fastest, which will bring more blue crabs to your trap.
Again, this is alongside a busy road with even less room to setup for crabbing. If you plan on bringing family and pets, you’ll love our next and final crabbing spot.
Georgetown County Lot
On the very bottom of Pawley Island lies a long stretch of sand. On the west side, you’ll find a a sandy-bottomed creek that empties out into the ocean. On the East side you’ll find white sand, beautiful sea shells, and the Atlantic Ocean. Both are great spots to go crabbing. I prefer the creek side for crabbing since the water is smoother than the choppy Atlantic.
Unlike the rest of the spots, there is designated parking located at the south end of Springs Avenue (Links to Google Maps). There you’ll find trash receptacles, dog waste collection bags, and signs which provide public beach rules and regulations. Parking is limited, so plan ahead and arrive early.
Again, here’s a diagram of the location. Red marks parking while green marks great spots to go crabbing.
You may have a harder time using star traps, box traps, and ring nets here because the water is so shallow. On the other hand, it’s perfect for hand lines, crab snares, and crab pots.
If you use a crab pot, bring a kayak or paddleboard to bring your trap out in the creek where the water’s deeper.. You’ll be sure to catch some crabs. You may need to weigh down your trap because of the current Make sure you set it in a spot where there’s minimal boat traffic and, at the same time, far enough away from shore to prevent trap thieves.
Before you grab your traps and head to the water, you need to know the blue crab rules and regulations in South Carolina.
Pawley Island Blue Crab Rules & Regulations
All this information comes from South Carolina’s DNR (Department of Natural Resources). I’ll update it whenever I can, but for the most up-to-date information, check out their website at http://www.dnr.sc.gov/regs/crabregs.html.
You will need a Saltwater Recreational Fishing license to go crabbing at each of the three spots mentioned, unless you use less than three ring nets, hand lines, or fold up traps. You do, however, need a license to use a crab pot. If you don’t have a license, you can purchase one online at South Carolina’s DNR website.
Crab pots have several regulations as well. A recreationally licensed crabber cannot use more than two pots. Each pot, if left unattended, has to bear the name, address, and license number of its owner.
Also, you cannot leave your pot in the water for more than 5 days. Don’t leave it within 200 yards of a public boat ramp.
Lastly, make sure your crab pot has a functional, easy-to-see buoy. It needs to be at least 6 inches in diameter.
Be sure to check out South Carolina’s DNR website for more information.
Before you go crabbing, make sure blue crabs are in season. South Carolina blue crab season typically lasts from October 1st through May 15.
Nearby Crabbing Spots
Pawley Island is close to the famous Myrtle Beach as well as Murrells Inlet, both great spots to go crabbing. Be sure to
