Crabbing in Cromer

Crabbing in Cromer, Norfolk – For my 40th birthday we had a weekend away with family and friends. Choosing the seaside town of Cromer on the North Norfolk Coast as the destination. Part of the reason for choosing Cromer. Is because on my actual birthday I wanted to spend the day at the beach. Only when we woke the weather had other plans. Although it was dry it was windy and cold, my birthday is in June! Never to be put off by the British weather we headed to the beach anyway. When we arrived it was high tide which meant most of the beach had been swallowed up. I was starting to wonder if the trip had been doomed. But instead of giving up completely, we walked to the pier. Expecting something to keep the kids entertained once again we were disappointed. There were no penny arcades as hoped. Feeling like it may end up being a washout we decided to walk up the pier anyway…

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Crabbing in Cromer Village

I am so glad we did as we saw lots of families with lines and buckets catching crabs. At this point, it was not something we had really done before. Not having nets or lines had historically put us off. However since our visit to Cromer we have become huge fans of crabbing, or rather the boys have. Meaning we have spent many an hour as a family trying to catch crabs all over the UK. So it turns out that, that particular birthday trip to the seaside and beach huts a couple of years ago, gave the whole family a present. We have had endless fun crabbing over the last couple of years since our trip to Cromer. If we ever have a seaside holiday the boys always request that we build it into our trip.

Catching delicious Cromer Crab – I am sure in Cromer you could probably catch crab with a piece of string since it is well known for its nutrient-rich waters. If however like us you either have never tried it before or left your crab pot at home. Then you will be pleased to know since it is such a popular pass time there you do not have to search far for nets and lines. At the front of the Cromer pier, there is a gift shop selling everything you need. Three crab nets, two buckets and ample bait came to £14.50 which I didn’t think was that bad, especially as Charlie chose the biggest bucket going.

The best place to go crabbing in Norfolk

One of the things that make the Victorian Pier one of the best places for crabbing is the proximity to everything. Not only is there a pub at the end of the pier. This means that adults can enjoy a drink during the process. Very important if you are celebrating your 40th birthday. Plus there are several local shops, including a chip shop which means the kids can enjoy snacks and ice cream. There is seating around the edge so you can sit down comfortably and railings to tie your lines to. Deep water always help and even at low tide you should still be able to crab off the end. We set ourselves up next to the pub on the left-hand side of the pier. As it meant you were sheltered from the wind and there was plenty of seating for everyone. It was definitely the right place to set up the crabbing lines.

Turns out buying the big bucket was the right idea as we caught nine crabs over two hours. One of the ones we caught was definitely big enough for dinner. And actual Cromer crabs! They look very different to the normal smaller crabs we have caught elsewhere, with larger pincers and more shell and shorter legs. The brown crabs that you can catch in Cromer look much more like the crabs you get in the fishmongers. Although we were not brave enough to catch them and then take them home to make fragrant crab sandwiches. Speaking to some passers-by many people do eat their catch. Especially during crabbing season. We tipped ours back into the sea once at the end of crabbing expedition. It was great fun and a great way for the kids to get some fresh air. 

How successful were we?

Cromer has to date been the location where we have caught the bigger crabs. When compared to other crabbing trips. As this is was our first time crabbing we really didn’t know what to expect. The kids were just happy that they caught something. I do think that you are dependent on the bait to a certain extent. We used some freeze-dried mackerel that we brought from the small shops. I did find it a little smelly and there were not many takers for putting it into the bait bags. Since Cromer, we have had even more success using real smokey, fatty, cooking bacon.

Harry casting off.. had to watch him like a hawk!

Our first catch of the day, unfortunately, it wasn’t one which Charlie had caught!

Green sea and blue skies, hoping to catch the next one…

Finally he had caught one! Although he wasn’t so sure about holding it initially. By the end of the trip you couldn’t stop him.

This is the largest one we caught and is big enough to eat, to that we did he went back into the sea like the others

Crabbing in Norfolk – pulling in his line for the last time, none of the kids wanted to stop

Beautiful Cromer in the sun, we will be back to play on that beach one day.

Have you visited the Northern Coast of Norfolk to try crabbing? I would love to hear about your crabbing in Norfolk experience in the comments below.

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