This is my first year trying drowning rigs for beaver. I bought some 1/8 cable based on seeing the pre made rigs on MTP being made with 1/8. Is 1/8 really that much better than 3/32? I use 3/32 for other things and it's way, way easier to cut. I tried to use my Channel Lock nippers on the 1/8 cable and it takes quite the effort. I even tried my bolt cutters but that just mashed the cable end. What I found to work best was to wrap the cable in electrical tape and use the nippers. The tape kept the ends from fraying.

If you all think 3/32 would work just as well then I will definitely skip the 1/8 next time.

https://www.hilltopoutdoorsupply.com/product-p/ccc.htm These cut even 1/8" cable very easilly and they last for a LONG time. I haven't worn them out. They are comparable in quality to Swiss made C7 cutters that cost nearly 3x as much. I have both.

1/8 will out last 3/32 cable by quite a bit. For drowners you should always buy the 7x19 cable. It's softer than 7x7 or 1x19 and doesn't kink up as bad.

Thanks ADC, I think I bought 7x7 high grade GAC from MTP. Should have gone with 7x19? Sounds like it'd be easier to work with. Thanks for the heads up on the cutters.

Lots of people use 7x7 and get by ok but if they knew about the 7x19 they would change over.

Yes, 1/8 is much better than 3/32 for slide cables. I keep a 500 foot roll of 1/8 and 3/32 in the garage, a crimper, as well as aluminum ferrules and stops.

This cutter works well, about 30 bucks. A must if you’re running snares.
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Thanks guys, how would the 7x19 be for snaring? I've never done that, but if I were to buy a bigger roll of 1/8 cable it'd eventually be for both drowning rigs and snaring.

Maybe I’m blind but I looked at MTP and Hilltop and don’t see the 7x19?

Not good for snaring. Its less chew resistant and doesn't hold a very good loop. However 1/8" is too big for snaring most anything but hogs.

Probably not. This is why so few people know about it and use it.

https://www.snareshop.com/prodinfo.asp?number=C7X1918 - you can get it cheaper than that if you look around, doesn't have to come from a trapping supply place.

like here... https://www.amazon.com/Galvanized-Aircraft-Cable-Wire-Rope/dp/B076BXCRBT?th=1

Thanks a lot.

I bought a pair of Swiss C-7 cable cutters almost 50 years ago and the are still cutting like new, they might cost more but usually you get what you pay for. 1/8" 7x7 cable is what I use for a drowning rig for beaver and haven't had a problem, I've tryed 3/32 but I prefer 1/8 inch. For beaver snares I use 60" of 1x19 x5/64 cable. Works for me.