Looe's sheltered harbour is genuinely well suited to crabbing, and it's a popular local activity right along the harbour wall.
East Looe Beach and the harbour wall alongside it give good, sheltered access — genuinely popular for crabbing and swimming alike, especially in summer.
As with any Cornish harbour, a strip of bacon tied to string, lowered gently to the harbour bed, is the best bait — reliably better than shop-bought alternatives — and a simple net beats a hooked crabbing line for actually landing your catch.
Lower slowly, let the bait settle, and wait rather than jigging it around. Lift steadily once you feel resistance, with the net ready underneath for the final stretch.
Bacon, string, a net and a bucket — Looe's harbour-front shops sell basic crabbing kits if you're without your own.
Looe's seagulls are genuinely bold around food on the harbour wall — worth keeping bait and any snacks close while you're set up.
Mid-tide tends to give the best results here as at most Cornish harbours — enough depth to keep bait submerged without the bed being too far down to reach comfortably.
Looe's harbour sits close to several dog-friendly cafés, making it easy to combine a crabbing session with a coffee stop either side.
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