Going crabbing is such a fun things you can do with your kids. It is a lovely way to spend an hour or two!
Where do I go
The best place to go crabbing is on the West Mersea Pontoon in West Mersea. The pontoon has clearly marked areas for crabbing. The pontoon is a working jetty for the local fishing and sailing community with boats and trolleys being pulled up and down it so stay off the main walkway.
There is a small car park next to it but this may be full. You can park on the local roads but be considerate and look out for parking restrictions. Don’t park on the gravel slipways into the sea. The tide comes up very high and your car will be flooded.
What do I need
Really all you need is a bucket, a long piece of string with a weight and something tasty tied on the line for the crabs to hang on to like some bacon, a bit of meat or a fish head. The easiest way is to use a crabbing line which has a mesh bait bag attached to it. We sell crabbing buckets and crabbing lines in the Mersea Barns shop if you need one.
When can i go?
You can crab at any time but when the tide is out there isn’t much space on the pontoon because the water has gone out – and so have the crabs! Any time from about 3hrs before the high tide should give you enough water and space on the pontoon to enjoy it.
Top Tips
- Check the time of tide
- Only go grabbing in the marked crabbing areas of the pontoon. The pontoon is a working jetty for the local fishing and sailing community.
- Use a crabbing line – its just easier!
- Fill your bucket it at least half full of sea water so you can put the crabs you catch into it.
- Don’t leave the crabs in the bucket for too long – particularly if you have caught lots.
- Tips the crabs back into the sea carefully when are finished. DON’T TAKE THEM HOME.
- Be careful on the pontoon.
- Put any rubbish into a bin.