Clamming & Crabbing
Off Season
Limited activity - check conditions
5
Crab Spots
4
Clam Spots
SLOW
Crabs
ACTIVE
Clams
5 Spots
Crabbing
4 Spots
Clamming
Slow
Blue Crabs
Active
Hard Clams
CRAB
Blue Crab Info
StatusOff Season
Min Size:4.5" point to point
Peak Season:July - September
Best Tide:Incoming / High
Note: License required for 3+ traps. No egg-bearing females!
CLAM
Clamming Info
StatusGood
Daily Limit:150 clams
Best Tide:Low Tide
Min Size:1" thick (hard)
CRITICAL: NJ Shellfish License required! Check DEP for OPEN waters - many areas closed.
GEAR
Gear Checklist
Crabbing
- - Crab traps or ring nets
- - Trot line (optional)
- - Chicken necks / bunker
- - Bushel basket
- - Measuring tool
- - Gloves
Clamming
- - Clam rake
- - Mesh basket/bag
- - Waders or water shoes
- - Gloves
- - Shellfish license
- - Cooler with ice
LINKS
Resources
Crabbing Gear
Affiliate💡 Click any bait or lure to shop on Amazon
Sponsored
Filter by County:
Showing 9 locations across 4 counties
Crabbing Spots
5 spotsNavesink River Crabbing
crabbing - Monmouth County
🦀 Crabbing
Target
Blue Crab
Best Tide
incoming
Best Time
Morning
Timing:Best crabbing on incoming to high tide when crabs are active
How to Crab Here
Techniques:
Trap/pot methodHand line with baitTrot line
Baits:
Chicken necksBunkerFish heads
Pro Tips
- •Low tide exposes crabs in shallows
- •Check traps every 20-30 min
- •Crabs are most active in warm weather
- •Excellent blue crab population
⚠️ Hazards:Watch for boat traffic, Jellyfish in summer
🅿️ Access:Various access points
Barnegat Bay Crabbing
crabbing - Ocean County
🦀 Crabbing
Target
Blue Crab
Best Tide
incoming
Best Time
Morning
Timing:Crabs move onto flats on incoming. Trap or hand line.
How to Crab Here
Techniques:
Trap/pot methodHand line with baitTrot line
Baits:
Chicken necksBunkerFish heads
Pro Tips
- •Low tide exposes crabs in shallows
- •Check traps every 20-30 min
- •Crabs are most active in warm weather
- •Legendary crabbing destination
⚠️ Hazards:Respect property - use public access, Watch fingers!
🅿️ Access:Multiple bay access points
Great Egg Harbor Bay Crabbing
crabbing - Atlantic County
🦀 Crabbing
Target
Blue Crab
Best Tide
incoming
Best Time
Morning
Timing:Prime crabbing on incoming tide in grass beds
How to Crab Here
Techniques:
Trap/pot methodHand line with baitTrot line
Baits:
Chicken necksBunkerFish heads
Pro Tips
- •Low tide exposes crabs in shallows
- •Check traps every 20-30 min
- •Crabs are most active in warm weather
- •Behind Ocean City - excellent crabbing
⚠️ Hazards:Check regulations, Minimum size 4.5" point to point
🅿️ Access:Bay access points
Cape May Canal Crabbing
crabbing - Cape May County
🦀 Crabbing
Target
Blue Crab
Best Tide
incoming
Best Time
Morning
Timing:Current brings crabs through - set traps on edges
How to Crab Here
Techniques:
Trap/pot methodHand line with baitTrot line
Baits:
Chicken necksBunkerFish heads
Pro Tips
- •Low tide exposes crabs in shallows
- •Check traps every 20-30 min
- •Crabs are most active in warm weather
- •Strong current carries crabs through
⚠️ Hazards:Strong current, Boat traffic
🅿️ Access:Roadside access
Delaware Bay Crabbing
crabbing - Cape May County
🦀 Crabbing
Target
Blue Crab
Best Tide
incoming
Best Time
Morning
Timing:Prime crabbing - Delaware Bay is famous for big blue crabs
How to Crab Here
Techniques:
Trap/pot methodHand line with baitTrot line
Baits:
Chicken necksBunkerFish heads
Pro Tips
- •Low tide exposes crabs in shallows
- •Check traps every 20-30 min
- •Crabs are most active in warm weather
- •Delaware Bay has monster blue crabs
⚠️ Hazards:Muddy areas, Strong currents, Commercial crabbing boats
🅿️ Access:Beach access parking
Clamming Spots
4 spotsBarnegat Bay Clam Flats
clamming - Ocean County
In Season🐚 Clamming
Target
★Hard Clam (Quahog)
Best Tide
low
Best Time
Morning
Timing:Best at low tide - flats exposed. Wade or kayak to productive beds.
How to Clam Here
Techniques:
Rake with basketTreading (barefeet)Clam fork method
Method:
N/A - visual searchLook for keyhole openingsFeel with feet in sand
Pro Tips
- •Best at dead low tide
- •Look for small holes in sand
- •Muddy areas often more productive
- •Extensive clam flats on bay side of LBI
⚠️ Hazards:Check for closures - water quality, Soft mud in places
🅿️ Access:Various bay access points
Great Bay Clam Beds
clamming - Atlantic County
In Season🐚 Clamming
Target
★Hard Clam (Quahog)
Best Tide
low
Best Time
Morning
Timing:Low tide exposes prime clamming flats. Check shellfish closures!
How to Clam Here
Techniques:
Rake with basketTreading (barefeet)Clam fork method
Method:
N/A - visual searchLook for keyhole openingsFeel with feet in sand
Pro Tips
- •Best at dead low tide
- •Look for small holes in sand
- •Muddy areas often more productive
- •Mullica River meets Great Bay
⚠️ Hazards:Check closure status, Strong currents in channels
🅿️ Access:Boat launch areas
Shark River Bay Clamming
clamming - Monmouth County
In Season🐚 Clamming
Target
★Hard Clam (Quahog)
Best Tide
low
Best Time
Morning
Timing:Low tide access to clam beds. Check water quality advisories.
How to Clam Here
Techniques:
Rake with basketTreading (barefeet)Clam fork method
Method:
N/A - visual searchLook for keyhole openingsFeel with feet in sand
Pro Tips
- •Best at dead low tide
- •Look for small holes in sand
- •Muddy areas often more productive
- •Protected bay area
⚠️ Hazards:Check water quality status, Boat traffic
🅿️ Access:Belmar marina area
Cape May Harbor Clam Beds
clamming - Cape May County
In Season🐚 Clamming
Target
★Hard Clam (Quahog)
Best Tide
low
Best Time
Morning
Timing:Productive clamming at low tide. Some of NJs best hard clams.
How to Clam Here
Techniques:
Rake with basketTreading (barefeet)Clam fork method
Method:
N/A - visual searchLook for keyhole openingsFeel with feet in sand
Pro Tips
- •Best at dead low tide
- •Look for small holes in sand
- •Muddy areas often more productive
- •Cape May Harbor has excellent clams
⚠️ Hazards:Check DEP closures, Commercial boat traffic
🅿️ Access:Harbor access points