Short answer: Shaldon beach is one of the best crabbing spots in south Devon and it costs almost nothing — a line, bacon and a bucket. Fill the bucket with seawater before you start. Do not swim here: the estuary currents are strong.
The Teign estuary meets the sea here, which means sheltered water, a working harbour mouth opposite and plenty of structure for crabs. Shaldon beach is known for it locally, and on a summer afternoon there will be a row of children along the edge with lines in the water.
Fill the bucket with seawater first and keep it in the shade. Do not put more than a few crabs in at a time — they fight when crowded. Lower the line rather than dropping it, wait until you feel weight, and lift slowly. Tip everything back where you caught it when you are done, gently and close to the water.
An hour either side of high water is when the crabs come in closest. At dead low the water is too far out from the best spots. Check the tide before you commit an afternoon to it.
Do not swim at Shaldon beach. The currents where the river meets the sea are strong and this is an estuary mouth rather than a bathing beach. Crabbing from the edge is fine; getting into the water is not. If you want to swim, go through the Smugglers' Tunnel to Ness Cove, which faces the open sea.
The Ferry Boat Inn lets you take a takeaway onto the beach, which is the natural end to a crabbing afternoon. The Clipper is open 8am to 9pm with counter service if you would rather sit down, and the London Inn on the green does a good catch of the day.
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