What's in a family crabbing kit?

Our crabbing kits bring together the essentials: a crabbing line or two, a net, and a bucket to keep your catch safely in seawater. The bumper family sets also add a backpack and seashore activity bits, so you're ready for a whole morning of fun by the water.

What is the best bait for crabbing?

Crabs aren't fussy, which is part of the fun. Bacon, fish heads or any oily fish work a treat and stay on the line well. Pop your bait in the little bait bag, lower it gently, and wait for that telltale tug from below.

Is crabbing safe for young children?

It's a lovely first seaside activity, with a little supervision. We offer hook-free lines for younger children so there's nothing sharp to worry about, and we'd always recommend a buoyancy aid near deep water on the harbour edge.

How do I look after the crabs I catch?

Keep them in a bucket of fresh seawater (not tap water), out of direct sun, and never overcrowd them. After a good look and maybe a count, gently lower them back where you found them. Catch and release keeps the crabbing brilliant for the next family too.

Where is the best place to go crabbing?

Harbour walls, pontoons and stone steps are classic crabbing spots, especially around high tide when crabs come in close. Cornwall's little fishing harbours are perfect, but almost any safe, calm quayside will reward a patient line.

What equipment do you need to go crabbing?

Surprisingly little. The essentials are a crabbing line or drop-net, a bait bag, and a bucket to hold your catch in fresh seawater. That is genuinely all it takes, which is why a ready-made kit is the easiest start, as it gathers the lot together so you only add bait on the day. Handy extras are a small net for lifting crabs gently, a cloth for sticky fingers, and a buoyancy aid for little ones near the harbour edge.

How do you go crabbing, step by step?

Tie your bait into the bait bag, lower the line slowly to the seabed, then wait quietly for a minute or two. When you feel a gentle tug or see the line twitch, lift slowly and steadily so the crab keeps its grip, and guide it straight into a bucket of seawater. Have a look, perhaps a count, then lower the crabs gently back where you found them. Slow and patient always beats fast and jerky.

What is a crab line, and is a hook-free one better for children?

A crab line is simply a length of line on a winder with a weight to reach the bottom and a bait bag or holder to tempt the crabs, no rod required. For younger children we would always steer you towards a weighted, hook-free line, because there is nothing sharp to worry about and crabs grab the bait bag happily without one. A single hand-line is also kinder to the crabs and other marine life than a large drop-net.

Is crabbing a good activity for young children?

It is one of the loveliest first seaside activities, gentle on little hands and full of excitement when the line twitches. With a hook-free line there is nothing sharp involved, so the main thing is supervision near the water. Ask children to kneel or sit at the edge rather than stand, pop a buoyancy aid on younger ones near deeper water, and choose sturdy, non-slip shoes for slippery, barnacled stone.

Where are the best places to go crabbing in Cornwall?

Cornwall's small fishing harbours are made for it, with calm, sheltered water beside stone steps, pontoons and quay walls where crabs gather close in. Aim for around high tide, when the crabs come right up to the wall, and pick a safe, calm quayside well back from boat traffic and strong currents. Almost any gentle harbour edge will reward a patient line, so it is worth asking locally for a sheltered favourite spot.

How to Go Crabbing: Kit, Bait & Safety

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How to Go Crabbing: Kit, Bait & Safety | Down The Cove

Hook-free crabbing equipment arranged for a supervised family harbour trip

Printable family chooser

Which crabbing kit fits your family?

For one child and a short harbour visit, a hook-free line, bucket and landing net cover the essentials. For siblings or a longer seashore day, a larger activity pack reduces sharing friction and gives the family more to do between catches.

The safest kit is tidy, hook-free and used with an adult close to every child at the water's edge.

Swipe sideways to compare every column →

Group	Best format	Why it works	Adult check
One younger child	Simple hook-free line, bucket and net	Fewer moving parts and easy close supervision	Check the product age guidance and stay within reach
One or two confident children	Standard complete crabbing kit	Enough equipment for a proper short session	Manage the line, bucket water and harbour edge
Family or siblings	Crabbing and seashore activity pack	More shared activities and less waiting	Count equipment in and out; leave nothing behind
Gift for a coastal trip	Complete kit rather than separate pieces	The recipient can use it without missing essentials	Include the safety checklist and local-rule reminder

Before anyone lowers a line

Choose a stable, permitted spot and check tide, weather and harbour notices.
Use a hook-free line; keep children within an adult's reach near water.
Keep the seawater bucket shaded, uncrowded and away from the edge.
Return crabs gently, remove all bait and take every piece of line home.

Sources and next step

Get help choosing the right setup

Crabbing Kits - Great fun for all the family!

What better way is there to get the kids out in the fresh air and have a great time too?

Don't worry if you are unsure what you need to do, all our kits contain full instructions.

Bumper Family Crabbing Kit

Complete Bumper Crabbing Kit & Seashore Activity Pack - All ages

1 x Backpack

2 x Large Crab Buckets

1 x Drop Net

1 x Hand Line with Hook

1 x Hand Line with Bag

Waterproof instructions and information about crabs

Heritage Seashore Playing Cards - each card is beautifully illustrated with different aspects of seashore life. Not only fun, but educational too!

1 x Sealife Colour Therapy Adult Colouring Book

1 x Colour Therapy Set of Colouring Pencils

1 x DK 'What Gives the Ocean Motion?' Book (140 pages) - An amazing Earth Quiz Book to entertain the whole family

I-Spy At The Seaside Book (Michelin) - fabulous retro books to keep you occupied for the whole of the holidays

2 x Scratch Off Rainbow Sea Life Pictures (with scratch pen) - designs vary but are always sea life themed.

2 x Fuzzy Colour In Sea life Fridge Magnets (designs vary)

1 x Pack of Felt Tip Pens

2 x A6 sized Sea Life Activity Book containing puzzles, stickers and seashore related activities

2 x Sea Life Mini Note Pads

1 x Super Retro Fortune Teller Miracle Fish

Family Kit for Younger Children

Complete Crabbing Kit & Seashore Activity Pack - Younger Children

1 x Backpack

2 x Large Crab Buckets

1 x Drop Net

2 x Hand Lines with Bags

Waterproof instructions and information about crabs

Heritage Seashore Playing Cards - each card is beautifully illustrated with different aspects of seashore life. Not only fun, but educational too!

1 x DK 'What Gives the Ocean Motion?' Book (140 pages) - An amazing Earth Quiz Book to entertain the whole family

I-Spy At The Seaside Book (Michelin) - fabulous retro books to keep you occupied for the whole of the holidays

2 x Scratch Off Rainbow Sea Life Pictures (with scratch pen) - designs vary but are always sea life themed.

2 x Fuzzy Colour In Sea life Fridge Magnets (designs vary)

1 x Pack of Felt Tip Pens

2 x A6 sized Sea Life Activity Book containing puzzles, stickers and seashore related activities

2 x Sea Life Mini Note Pads

1 x Super Retro Fortune Teller Miracle Fish

Family Kit for Older Children / Adults

Complete Crabbing Kit & Seashore Activity Pack - Older Children / Adults

1 x Backpack

2 x Large Crab Buckets

1 x Drop Net

2 x Hand Lines with Hooks

Waterproof instructions and information about crabs

Heritage Seashore Playing Cards - each card is beautifully illustrated with different aspects of seashore life. Not only fun, but educational too!

1 x DK 'What Gives the Ocean Motion?' Book (140 pages) - An amazing Earth Quiz Book to entertain the whole family

I-Spy At The Seaside Book (Michelin) - fabulous retro books to keep you occupied for the whole of the holidays

1 x Colour Therapy Anti-Stress Adult Colouring Book 'Exotic Sealife'

1 x Pack of Colour Therapy Colouring Pencils

2 x A6 sized Sea Life Activity Book containing puzzles, stickers and seashore related activities

2 x Sea Life Mini Note Pads

1 x Super Retro Fortune Teller Miracle Fish

Crabbing Kits

A safer, happier family crabbing day

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