Where to crab in Ocean City, Maryland

While living in or visiting Ocean City, you can’t miss the attention to crabs. All-you-can-eat crabs, roadside crab stands, crab mascots, crab cocktails, and even crab traps in Walmart!

Looking to catch your own crabs in OCMD? The easiest way is to rent a boat or book a crabbing trip on the Get Sum.
We provide our guests with bushels of fun. Captain Nick will put you in the right spots to catch crabs using different techniques.

Dock Crabbing in Ocean City

Any dock on the bay will work in OC. Always have permission to use private crabbing locations, or visit one of the public crabbing piers in and around town. You will need a crabbing license and the correct equipment that accompanies your recreational license, but other than that, it’s a full day’s worth of entertainment.

One of the most peaceful places in town to crab is the pier at Northside Park. It’s free and offers plenty of room. Other public crabbing spots include the 9th Street Fishing Pier, as well as the bay pier at Assateague State Park.

Whether you’re crabbing off a buddy’s dock or a public pier, with a little luck and a little patience, you can bring back enough crabs to feed the crowd!

Crabbing from a Boat in Ocean City

So, you want to test out the old sea legs, huh? Catching crabs from a boat in Ocean City can be a lot of fun. If you’re looking for the most enjoyable experience, why not book a charter?
On the Get Sum, all equipment and bait are included — and we can fit the entire family onboard.

Whether it’s your boat or ours, the options are endless for crabbing. While out on the water, you may see commercial crab pots in deeper areas or places with heavier boat traffic. These aren’t always the best spots for recreational crabbing. Commercial crabbers are allowed to use large traps that soak overnight, while you’ll be using collapsible traps, trotlines, or hand lines.

It’s best to choose calmer waters when crabbing from a boat. Some people prefer to set a row of collapsibles spaced out and marked with a float, then cruise around to check them every few minutes. Others like to anchor in one spot and mix traps with hand lines, moving occasionally to find better results.
The more adventurous crabber might run a trotline, scooping crabs up with a net as the line rises through the water.

All of these techniques work well throughout the bay and its tributaries. No one spot is always best — good crabbing depends on water temperature, tides, and seasonal changes. Don’t be afraid to explore off the beaten path. Tributaries off the Isle of Wight and Assawoman Bay are worth checking. You just might find your secret honey hole — and let’s hope you brought enough Old Bay.

10 Crabbing Tips for Ocean City, MD

  1. Go Early or Late in the Day
    Crabs are most active during cooler parts of the day — early morning and late afternoon are often the most productive times to set traps or toss hand lines.

  2. Use Fresh, Oily Bait
    Crabs love chicken necks, razor clams, and bunker. The smellier, the better. Skip the fancy stuff — fresh bait is cheaper and more effective.

  3. Stick to Incoming or Outgoing Tides
    Tide movement stirs up the bottom and gets crabs feeding. Aim to crab during the incoming or outgoing tide rather than slack tide.

  4. Find Shady, Grassy Bottoms
    Crabs tend to hang near grass beds, pilings, and shaded areas. These spots offer protection and food — a crab’s two favorite things.

  5. Keep It Legal
    Know the current size limits, daily catch limits, and licensing rules for recreational crabbing in Maryland. (Tip: No license needed if you’re on a trip with Get Sum Charters.)

  6. Use a Ruler — Not Guesswork
    Always bring a crab measuring tool. Tossing back undersized crabs isn’t just the law — it keeps the population healthy for future seasons.

  7. Check Your Gear Often
    Whether you’re using collapsible traps or hand lines, check them every 5–10 minutes. Crabs will often steal bait or bail if left too long.

  8. Don’t Crowd Other Crabbers
    Give other folks some space. If someone’s already working an area, find your own stretch. The bay is big — spread out and explore.

  9. Keep Crabs Cool and Moist
    Store your catch in a bushel basket or cooler with a wet towel on top. Avoid putting crabs directly in ice or water — they’ll drown.

  10. Move Around If You’re Not Catching
    If 30 minutes go by without a crab, it’s time to relocate. Sometimes a small change in depth or structure makes all the difference.