Crabbing in Ocean City: Hands-on catch & keep

You pull the pots yourself and walk off the boat with dinner.

OC Bay Hopper is a hands-on crabbing activity in Assawoman Bay departing from 118th Street in Ocean City, Maryland, where you help pull crab pots, learn to measure and handle crabs, and keep the legal-size catch to take home. The captain provides all equipment and bait, teaches you the trade that sustains the local fishing community, and divides the crabs evenly among groups onboard. The trip runs roughly two and a half hours.

The experience

What makes this different from watching someone else work is that you're the one pulling the pots. The captain explains how to find crabs in the bay and teaches you to use the equipment as you go: how to handle each crab, how to measure it against the legal size, which ones you get to keep. Bait is provided, so you show up ready to work. This is the trade that built Ocean City's economy, and you're doing it yourself for an afternoon.

The crabs you catch are divided evenly among the groups on the boat, so a family or small party leaves with a real haul. Legal-size crabs go home with you. Undersized ones go back. That's the whole point. You're not just learning the skill, you're walking away with something to cook for dinner or lunch that same day. The captain runs through the measuring and handling so you know exactly what counts and what doesn't.

Departure is from the 118th Street location in Ocean City. A live guide in English walks you through every step. The trip takes roughly two and a half hours on the water, and it sells out regularly, so booking ahead matters.

What’s included

• All crabbing equipment.
• bait.
• instruction from a live English-speaking captain.
• legal-size crabs divided evenly among groups onboard.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 25 May 2027

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Blue Bimini

Is this one for you?You're in the water and on your feet for the full two and a half hours, pulling pots and handling crabs, so this suits anyone ready to work rather than watch. Book this if you want to leave with crabs you caught yourself, not just a story about the bay.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I really keep the crabs I catch?

Yes. Any crab that meets the legal size requirement stays with you, divided evenly among the groups on the boat. The captain teaches you how to measure them so you know which ones qualify.

What's the difference between this and just buying crabs at a market?

You catch them yourself. You pull the pots, handle the crabs, learn how to measure and hold them, and understand the work that goes into the trade. The captain explains the whole process as you do it, not after.

Do I need to bring my own equipment?

No. The captain provides all the equipment you need and teaches you how to use it. Bait is included.

How long does the trip actually take?

Roughly two and a half hours on the water, departing from 118th Street in Ocean City.

Is this safe for kids and families?

Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a stroller or pram, and infants can sit on an adult's lap. The activity is suitable for all fitness levels. It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries.