Crabbing in Padstow: Where and How

Crabbing off the harbour wall is one of the genuinely classic, low-cost activities in Padstow, and the working harbour here is well suited to it — plenty of harbour wall to fish from, and crabs that are properly used to the activity.

Where to actually do it

Padstow Harbour itself is the spot — the harbour wall gives easy access to the water below, and it's a genuinely sociable activity, with other families usually doing the same thing alongside you on a summer afternoon.

The classic method: bacon and a net on a string

Forget anything more complicated — a strip of bacon tied to a length of string, lowered gently to the harbour floor, is genuinely the best bait for catching crabs, and a simple net on a string is the best way to actually land them once they've taken hold. Fancy crabbing lines with hooks aren't necessary and can be harder for children to manage.

Technique that actually works

Lower the bacon slowly and let it settle on the bottom, then wait — crabs take a few minutes to find it and properly grip on. Once you feel a tug or see one attached, lift slowly and steadily rather than yanking, since a sudden pull often means the crab lets go before it clears the water. Have the net ready underneath as you lift for the last stretch.

What you'll need

Bacon (a cheap pack goes a long way), string, a net, and a bucket of seawater to hold your catch temporarily — most seaside gift shops in Padstow sell basic crabbing kits if you haven't brought your own.

Looking after the crabs

Keep the bucket in shade, don't overcrowd it, and return every crab to the water within the hour — handling them gently and by the back of the shell rather than the front, where the claws are.

A note on tide and timing

Crabbing tends to work best around mid-tide rather than dead low or dead high — enough water depth to keep the bait properly submerged, but not so much that the harbour bed is too far down to reach comfortably. A couple of hours either side of high water is usually a safe bet.

Making a morning of it

Crabbing pairs naturally with a wider harbour wander — Padstow's cafés and shops are close enough that a crabbing session can easily bookend a longer stop, rather than needing to be the whole plan for the day.

Crabbing in Padstow, at a glance

• Location: Padstow Harbour wall
• Best bait: bacon, tied to a length of string
• Best for catching: a simple net on a string, not a hooked line
• Return crabs to the water within the hour, kept in shaded water