Crabbing in Portsmouth

By far one of the most popular past times for the kids is an hour or two trying to fill a bucket with the common shore crab along the walkway in canoe lake near South Parade Pier.

Canoe Lake Portsmouth U.K.

The water in canoe lake is not deep but it is still dangerous as is most water.

Please keep an eye out for small children.

Swans are NOT TO BE FED AS THEY DIE AS A RESULT.

See notices posted in area.

What you need.

Kids

Large collection bucket

6ft String (Cat (fishing line) gut can harm the swans)

Fishing Net

Hand Cleaning wipes

Pad and pen to record your score

Camera

Bait is small

Bacon

Fish/ Heads and Tails best.

Ham

Tie this to a piece of string 6ft

Weigh down with a stone from the beach

or a small fishing weight.

Toss the baited line approximately 3ft from the wall then draw the line in as slowly as possible then leave to rest for 10 minutes. Raise the line slowly whilst moving the net

Underneath. Please remember respect for all living creatures

At regular intervals refresh the water in the bucket in hot weather.

Put all crabs back.

Tidy up.

DON’T FEED THE SWANS

Thanks

CRABBING IN PORTSMOUTH JUNE TO SEPT

The shore crab is found on all types of shore, from high water to depths of 60 m, but it is predominantly a shore and shallow water species. It tolerates a wide range of salinity and is especially abundant in estuaries and salt marshes.

The shore crab has a shell (carapace) that is much broader than long (up to 8 cm across). The front of the carapace is serrated with five teeth on either side and three rounded lobes between the eyes. The first pair of legs have well developed pincers. Its colour is highly variable from dark green to orange and red. Variation in colour may be due to the stage of the life cycle or the habitat. Juveniles in particular display a wide range of mottled patterns.