Crabbing

[desigreeneyes]

Could anyone tell me if I need a licence to go crabbing at the coast, please?

 

[Wahboasti]

You don't need a license for crabbing with a line from a pier or similar, nor would you need one for laying crab ( or lobster) pots. I think there are size restrictions on what you can keep but if you are just out for a few hours of fun, noone is going to bother you. Be aware that if you intend laying pots, the prime spots are often highly prized and jealously guarded.

 

[Janne]

Crab is lovely!

Just be careful, those pincers are strong!!!

 

[slowworm]

If you're using a pot, even one of those cheap net types, then you should read the relevant Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority bylaws for the area you're in. There's a list here: http://www.association-ifca.org.uk/

The bylaws might seem a bit OTT but they're aimed at protecting stocks so worth following.

 

[mousey]

When younger crabbing was a fun pass time for me, go to the local butchers get a hunk of off cut manky bit of meat on a bone, tie it to a length of string throw it in off a jetty then pull it up every few minutes - always a couple of crabs dangling off it. I had [and still have] no idea if they were edible [are all types of crab edible - or at least nice?]. But once there were twenty or so in a bucket we'd tip the bucket over and have a crab race and bet which one would make it to the water first .

 

[bbdave]

You do need a licence for pots at least you do in Devon I have one £25 a year for upto 5 pots with the correct sized escape hole they can be fished all year.

Dave

 

[Janne]

Stupid Question of 2017:

What time of the year ate the crabs 'full'?
I started to crab a couple of years ago only, but only get crab where I can take one claw, as they ate empty.
I have fished them in April, June, July, August.