how to guide to crabbing in southeast texas
Catch Your Own Crabs in the Cajun Capital of Texas
There’s a “recipe” for catching crabs in the Cajun Capital of Texas. It starts with chicken.
Raw chicken, or a turkey neck. And a string. Bring a dip net and get ready to nab some blue crabs right out of Port Arthur waters. What could be more fun that pulling up that string with a beautiful blue crab hanging on. Can you believe it’s that easy? Get your gear, and your Texas fishing license and saltwater fishing endorsement, and let’s catch some dinner.
YOUR ‘HOW TO’ STARTS HERE
What you want to see is a bucket or cooler of fresh crabs, climbing over one another on the pier. They’ll be headed to your boiling pot, ready to be seasoned to your taste.
- Prep: Get some string, maybe that kite string you already have on hand, and head to the store for your raw chicken or turkey parts.Stop at one of our local bait spots if you need a fresh net. Then head to your favorite water spot.
- Setup: Tie tie the bait to the crab and throw it into the water.
- Get Crabbing: Patience please. Feel a tug and you know that crab is biting. Gently reel it in. Don’t scare the crab. When you see it, place your net under the crab and scoop.
- Measure Your Catch: Bring a ruler to measure that from “horn to horn,” the points on each side of the body, are at least 5 inches and not bearing eggs to be a legal catch. Catch and release the smaller ones.
Speaking of smaller ones, kids checking on their crab strings. It’s a family activity they’ll remember.
BONUS:
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen
- Hat – visor, ballcap, bucket hat
- Rubber shoes
- Snacks & water for you to stay fueled up
- Chairs or truck bed to sit on
- Hand sanitizer & wipes
- Metal tongs (for transferring crabs from the bucket to the ice)
Sea Rim State Park has a bonus. There’s a beautiful gulf view, marshy areas and this state park is a place you won’t need a license. Ask a ranger for tackle tips and lucky spots. Keep that chicken away from the gators. If you catch one eying you, pack up and move on.
Where to Crab in the Port Arthur area
Here are some more hot spots:
- Pleasure Island has plenty of pier, jetty and side-of-the-road opportunities to catch your dinner. It’s right on Sabine Lake, which is great for fishing and birding, too.
- Walter Umphrey State Park – Despite the name, you do need a license to fish here. Try the pier. You’ll be in the Cajun Capital of Texas and very, very close to the Louisiana state line. Bienvenue visitors! Welcome to our coastlines.
- Rainbow Bridge – This famously-tall bridge is purported to have crabby action on the Bridge City side. Be safe. There’s lots of traffic in the area, because people can’t wait to get to Port Arthur.
- Sabine Pass Battleground State Historic Site – History and fishing meet here. It’s common to see parents fishing and children crabbing around the boat basin.
- Port Neches RiverFront Park – Try you luck here, and check out La Maison Beausoleil, the Cajun home on the park.
- If you do see a professional crab trap, please do not tamper with it. Many families in the area make their living shrimping, fishing and crabbing Port Arthur area waters.
PRO TIPS FOR SUCCESS
May through November is when the crabs are considered most plentiful and large. Good thing those are the months to enjoy much of Port Arthur’s area outdoors. But come around the third week of April for best spring migration birding at Sabine Woods.
Try crabbing during slack water, the time around high or low tide. That’s when they tend to walk around and forage away from the tide.
When you get your crabs, keep them on ice and consider some tongs for taming those pinchers.
Prepping Your Crabs to Eat
Clean your loot quickly; discard any dead ones. Boil them and remove claws and legs. Texas Parks and Wildlife suggests this method: To clean the crab, remove the claws by holding the body in one hand and twisting the claw off with the other hand. Next, hold the legs in one hand, insert the fingers of the other hand under the shell at the back, and pull the shell up and off. Scoop out and discard the internal organs in the center of the crab. Slice the top of one side of the body with a knife and repeat on the other side. Now scoop out the meat from the exposed chambers. Refrigerate as soon as possible!
The Day’s Catch – Go for a Dip with your Crab
An easy way to enjoy your boiled crab meat is in a dip. Go to town with combinations of cream cheese, sour cream and/or Greek yogurt. Spice it up with Worcestershire sauce, Cajun seasoning, garlic or maybe some cayenne pepper. Maybe top it with a little yellow cheese and heat it up. Some green parsley would look good on top. Scoop it up with crackers, tortilla chips celery or bell pepper strips. Fritos Scoops would make this real Texan. If you need more instruction, look up “easy crab dip” and you’ll get several variations!
Crab pairs well with French bread and butter, boil and peel shrimp, Cajun rice dishes, pasta with olive oil and herbs or creamy sauces… we could go on and on. Oh, how about crab cakes, crab salad, crab sandwiches…
QUICK LINKS
Sea Rim State Park
Where the Gulf Meets the Marsh At the far southeast corner of Texas lies a remote...
McFaddin Beach
20 Miles of Free Access Beach McFaddin Beach is one of Port Arthur’s...
Sabine Pass Battleground State Historic Site
The Battle at Sabine Pass The story of the Civil War battle fought here sounds...
Gettin' Crabby in the Cajun Capital
More Catches from our Waters
The Cajun Capital of Texas offers rivers, bayous, marshes, the Gulf and salt-and freshwater lakes. Sabine Lake is 14 miles long and 7 miles wide. Full of trout, redfish and flounder, it is formed at the point where the Sabine and Neches Rivers meet. Expert anglers say it offers some of the best fishing on the Gulf Coast – with plenty of shore fishing, boat launches and fishing charters. You can also kayak the region’s multiple paddling trails or venture off shore into the Gulf. Take the bait! Get our fishing guide here!
Another Crabby Option
Not in the mood for cooking your own dinner? Read up on our Cajun and Seafood restaurants here, and get crackin!
