Using Crab Pots for Recreational Crabbing in Ocean City, Maryland

Thinking about catching Maryland blue crabs the slow-and-steady way? Crab pots are a fantastic tool for recreational crabbing in Ocean City, especially if you’ve got a dock or some private waterfront access. Unlike handlines or collapsible traps, crab pots can be left to soak for hours or even days — giving you the chance to fill a bushel without breaking a sweat.

Whether you’re out for dinner or just love the process, using a crab pot offers a more laid-back experience that still delivers serious results. Just bait it, drop it, and come back later to see what climbed in.

Want the pros to handle the hard part? Hop on the Get Sum and we’ll show you how the pros do it — no license required when you’re with us!

⚙️ How Crab Pots Work + Best Bait for Blue Crabs

Crab pots are like underwater hotels with a one-way door. Maryland blue crabs enter the pot through funnel-shaped openings, lured in by the smell of bait — but once inside, it’s tough for them to escape. Whether you’re dropping pots from a dock or boat, the basic idea is the same: bait, drop, wait, and haul up your catch.

You can bait your crab pot with just about anything, but some options work better than others. Chicken necks, menhaden, fish heads, or bull lips are all popular choices. Crabs are scavengers, so the smellier the better — just make sure the bait is fresh enough to draw them in.

Let the pot soak for several hours, or overnight if it’s legal where you’re crabbing. Just don’t forget it — crab pots that stay too long can lead to lost gear or foul-smelling surprises.

Pro tip from Captain Nick: always make sure you have enough line to adjust for the tide. Nothing’s worse than watching your pot disappear under shifting water with no way to retrieve it!

📜 Know the Rules – Maryland Crab Pot Regulations

Before you drop a crab pot into the waters around Ocean City, make sure you’re following Maryland’s crabbing regulations. Recreational crabbers must follow specific rules depending on whether they’re using a boat, dock, or shoreline. While collapsible traps and handlines are fairly relaxed, crab pots come with more restrictions — and the fines for ignoring them are nothing to joke about.

If you’re using a crab pot from your private waterfront property, you’re required to register it — but here’s the good news: it’s completely free. Maryland residents can register their pots online through the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and avoid issues down the line.

Want to stay up to date? Always check the latest guidelines from official sources:

These sites provide seasonal updates, catch limits, gear rules, and safety requirements — essential reading before every trip. When in doubt, reach out to the DNR or better yet, come aboard the Get Sum where we take care of all the rules for you.

🎯 Tips for Using Crab Pots Effectively + Caring for Your Catch

You’ve got your crab pot, the bait is set, and the trap is soaking — now what? If you want to maximize your catch in Ocean City, Maryland, here are a few tried-and-true tips to keep in mind when using a crab pot.

First, soak your pot for the right amount of time. For recreational crabbers, a few hours is usually plenty, but if conditions are right and you’re using multiple pots, longer soaks can yield better hauls. Just make sure your line is long enough to adjust for the tide, especially if you’re crabbing from a floating dock.

Check your pot regularly — but not constantly. Pulling it up too often disturbs the crabs and can limit your catch. Every 2 to 4 hours is a good rhythm for recreational crabbing, depending on tide movement and bait freshness.

When you bring in a full pot, sort your crabs quickly. Measure each crab and follow Maryland’s size and gender rules — throw back any undersized or sponge-carrying females. Keep your keepers in a dry, shady container. Do not fill your bucket with water — crabs need air to breathe and will drown if submerged too long.

Want to learn all the tricks, save yourself the hassle, and catch dinner the Maryland way? Book a trip with Captain Nick on the Get Sum and let us guide you through the full process — bait to basket, legally and deliciously.

🧺 Ready to Crab the Right Way?

Whether you’re soaking a pot overnight, handlining with the kids, or tossing collapsible traps from a dock, crabbing in Ocean City, Maryland is one of the most satisfying ways to spend your time on the water. But if you want to do it right — and maybe fill a whole bushel without guessing — you don’t have to go it alone.

At Get Sum Charters, we provide the boat, the bait, the gear, and the know-how. Whether you’re new to crabbing or just want to relax while we do the heavy lifting, we’re here to help you catch more and stress less.

Check out our other guides:

  • Crabbing with Hand Lines
  • Using Collapsible Crab Traps
  • Crabbing Licenses & Maryland Regulations

Whether you’re after a bushel or just a bucket, we’ll help you make it a trip worth talking about.