In my experience the bottom washer is best welded on flat (parallel) to the rod on any stake or drowning rod. Similar to how Alaska Viking has his bolted on. This stabs into bottom easier and does a better job preventing twist. On drowning rods I like it at least 10 inches from the bottom as if I get it in to the 1 foot mark it generally will not come out.

On my 30 inch stakes with a bodygrip bracket on top I made for mucky dams and soft bottoms the flat washer is 6 inches below the top where the bracket is. As long at that washer is in it is not spinning around.

Do ya hook trap to drowner lock ? Or do ya use extra chain to give a little slack for trap placement.

my CDR's and Bridger #5's have 8-10" factory chains which I hook to the lock with a 3/16-1/4" quick snap (carabiner)

IF I trap where theft could be a problem I use quick links, the oval things that screw shut, and tighten with pliers.

^^and make sure to have at least 2 box or MB swivels in that chain!

I use about 8-10 inches of chain

I adjust the chain length with a quick link. I prefer to keep them short as I can, especially in shallower water to keep them from reaching the surface.

I am going to make a few with 6 to 8 inch of #2 machine chain. I will have 3 to 4 mb swivels in the setup.

Ttt