So I have not been on here in a while but I am very confused on staking because I have very minimal options right now. I want to weld some stakes but right now I am trapping coons and rats what size or type of stakes do I use because I have a bit of OCD or fear of the critters running away.

Soil type makes a huge difference. Rocks, sand, gravel, clay, mud all hold stakes differently.

I trap dryland raccoons in clay top soil with rock/gravel underneath. Typically I use one 3/8x24 inch rebar stake. Sometimes I will double if the first stake goes in easy.

In looser soil, like the silty mud along the creeks here, I will double stake with up to 36 inch stakes. Overkill for muskrat or mink, but always stake for what MIGHT get in your trap, like a raccoon, or the occasional otter.

That is pretty broad question with out knowing what kind of ground your dealing with.

Mac

This^^^^^^

I'd think you'd have no trouble with 24" long 1/2" rebar stakes but, if you want to be sure, some good cable stakes like Wolf Fangs on 24" 7x7 3/32" cables aren't going anywhere unless its a big critter in very soft muck.

I do not know the ground type by where I am going tonight after school and I am supposed to get rid of some rats. But I have no idea where they are coming from. Nearest water source that I know of is 300 yards away pics of them on trail cameras

Stake for the largest that might get caught except for connibears, then stake for the largest that might try to tote off your catch, trap and all.

When making stake don't stick to one size. Make a bit of a variety. Personally, I use my 1/2" by 24" stakes the most but occasionally I'll need a longer one. I have some for beaver stakes that are 5ft. Far overkill for coon of course but you get the point. Some places you have hard ground and some places you have muck.

I didn't like the 3/8ths stakes. Bent too easily for my liking. I also didn't like the cable stakes.....but to each his own.