Crab Pot Guide
Crab Pot is a fishing auxiliary device in Stardew Valley that can automatically catch various creatures in water. It is an important tool for completing the Fishing Bundle and obtaining specific materials.
How to Unlock and Craft
Basic Crab Pot
- Unlock Condition: Fishing skill reaches Level 3
- Crafting Materials: 40 Wood + 3 Iron Bars
Usage
- Craft Crab Pot
- Place Crab Pot in water (rivers, lakes, ocean all work)
- Put in Bait (optional, with Bait will not catch trash)
- Collect catches the next day
- Re-place in water to continue working
Crab Pots need to be manually collected and re-placed every day.
Catch Categories
Crab Pot catches depend on the water type:
Freshwater Catches (Rivers/Lakes)
| Catch | Base Sell Price | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Crayfish | 75g | Cooking, Bundle |
| Snail | 65g | Cooking, Bundle |
| Periwinkle | 20g | Cooking, Bundle |
| Mussel | 30g | Cooking, Bundle |
| Clam | 50g (Ocean only) | Bundle |
| Oyster | 40g (Ocean only) | Cooking, Bundle |
| Freshwater Lobster | 80g | Cooking |
| Crab | 100g (Ocean only) | Cooking, Bundle |
Ocean Catches
| Catch | Base Sell Price | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Lobster | 120g | Cooking, Bundle |
| Crab | 100g (Ocean only) | Cooking, Bundle |
| Clam | 50g (Ocean only) | Bundle |
| Mussel | 30g | Cooking, Bundle |
| Oyster | 40g (Ocean only) | Cooking, Bundle |
| Periwinkle | 20g | Cooking, Bundle |
| Shrimp | 60g | Cooking, Bundle |
| Squid | 80g | Cooking |
Trash (Without Bait)
| Trash | Notes |
|---|---|
| Driftwood | Can be recycled into Wood |
| Soggy Newspaper | Can be recycled into Torch |
| Broken Glasses | Can craft Refined Quartz |
| Broken CD | Can craft Refined Quartz |
Put in Bait to avoid catching trash, recommended to always use Bait.
Fishing Profession Choice
Fishing skill Level 5 and 10 profession choices affect Crab Pot profits:
Level 5 Choice
| Profession | Effect |
|---|---|
| Fisher | Fish value +25% |
| Trapper | Crab Pot crafting materials halved (25 Wood + 2 Copper Bars) |
Recommended Trapper, saves the trouble of making Bait every day.
Level 10 Choice (Requires Trapper)
| Profession | Effect |
|---|---|
| Mariner | Crab Pots no longer catch trash |
| Luremaster | Crab Pots no longer need Bait (auto-bait) |
Recommended Mariner, ensures Crab Pots only catch valuable items.
Profit Analysis
Single Crab Pot Daily Profit Estimate
| Configuration | Daily Profit |
|---|---|
| No profession bonus | About 50-80g |
| Trapper + Mariner | About 80-120g |
| Artisan profession bonus | About 100-150g |
Large Scale Crab Pot Profits
| Crab Pot Quantity | Daily Profit (Trapper + Mariner) |
|---|---|
| 10 | 800-1,200g |
| 20 | 1,600-2,400g |
| 40 | 3,200-4,800g |
40 Crab Pots is the game limit (20 in rivers + 20 in ocean).
Best Placement Locations
River/Lake Locations
| Location | Advantage |
|---|---|
| Farm Pond | Convenient collection |
| Pelican Town River | Close to home |
| Mountain Lake | Large area |
| Cindersap Forest River | Convenient |
Ocean Locations
| Location | Advantage |
|---|---|
| Beach | Large area, convenient |
| Ginger Island Beach | Extra location |
Practical Tips
Automation Suggestions
- After choosing Trapper profession, no Bait needed
- After choosing Mariner profession, no trash caught
- Place Crab Pots near farm for easy daily collection
Bundle Usage
Crab Pot catches are required for multiple Community Center bundles:
- Fish Tank Bundle: Crab, Lobster, Crayfish, Snail, etc.
- Chef’s Bundle: Various seafood
Cooking Usage
- Crab Pot catches can be used in multiple cooking recipes
- Lobster Bisque, Seafood Stew, etc.
With Artisan Profession
- If Artisan profession is chosen (Farming Level 10), Crab Pot catch sell price +40%
- But usually Fishing profession is more suitable for Crab Pot players
1.6 Update Changes
- Added advanced Crab Pots (higher quality)
- Some catch sell prices adjusted
- Added new catch items
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can Crab Pots be placed in water outside the farm? A: Yes, can be placed in any water body.
Q: Can Crab Pots be washed away? A: No, Crab Pots are fixed in water position.
Q: Do Crab Pots work in Winter? A: Yes, Crab Pots work year-round.
Q: Do Crab Pot catches rot? A: No, collected items are permanently preserved.
Q: Does Trapper profession really not need Bait? A: Yes, after choosing Trapper, Crab Pots no longer need Bait to work normally.