How do you attach cable stakes to your trap?
S hook? J hook?
Do you just loop them on with nothing ?
Quick link?
Do you attach it differently for predators than other critters ?

Thanks

I use the J hook for all traps attached to cable stakes. Some like a quick link. No wrong way really, as long as it holds up and is efficient for your style of trapping.

I always used a J-hook from a swivel, but I’m starting to use more and more quick links. They make it so easy to keep everything neat and organized, and easier to pull if you’re using disposables, or as is the case in my country using a heavy drag and want to leave it at the set fir use next season.

Since we have wolves here I weld my J-hooks and use quick links. The quick links allow me to remove my trap in frozen ground without having to carry along a bolt cutters the chain. This also allows me to switch out to drags if need be.

Some like split rings. They make two sizes.

Sleep ezy lap links. Both traps and snares. Easy and strong.

Quick links. 3/16". Cut cable on pull day. Put on new cable stake and reset trap. Don't forget to tighten quick link a good snug with a pair of pliers...just to make sure it dont unscrew during the tussle. Never had one compromised.

I use the same size links to attach beaver foothold to slide locks.

I use the small 1/8" quick links to attach extensions to beaver snares.

Quick link and tighten

Yep…Same Here.

HD Split rings. I've read where guys say coyotes have opened them but in all these years, I never even had one slightly deformed. Possibly not the best connector in high theft areas.

Quick Links
Attaching end swivel to earth anchors, drags, cable extensions or drowner rod. Quick Links equal fast, reliable hook up whichever method I use.

Quick Link on drowner-

I make my own cable stakes.
I attach anchor on one end and about 6 links of #2 or 3 chain on other end. attach to trap via quick link that is attached to CP swivel by 6 gauge J hook.
I use the length of chain to grab with hook when pulling them.

I did straighten a 3/16" quick link when I pulled from above it trying to get an anchor up. Pretty sure it was driven through or under a root

I use j-hooks into the swivel or a 3\16 the quick link.

Double trap swivel

I also use quick links alot.

Land-j hook, Water-quick link.

Just a quick link through the swivel.

Cable goes through the eye of the swivel. I add a washer and an end stop OR I’ll use a double ferrule to make a closed loop, but it goes through the swivel eye.


On submersion cables, there is a short piece of 3/32” cable and a 4” piece of 1/8” flat stock that I use as a quick toggle.

3/16" quick links tightened with a wrench.

This is eye opening, I didn't realize so many people were using quick links, especially for coyote traps. I've been thinking about switching from 100% J-hooks to quick links for a while now. Mainly because I prep all my predator traps the exact same way but I've learned that I don't really know how I want to stake it until I'm standing over a potential set location, and sometimes the stake method I have on there isn't what I need in that moment.

Sometimes I want 12" of cable at the end of my chain, sometimes I want 18". A quick link would make it easier for me to just attach what I need at the time. Especially if it turned into a spot where a drag would be better than a stake.

Also, those cables are a real PITA when all the traps are thrown into a bin together ahead of time. I've tried to be more organized and wrap each individual trap but it never works out that way. Chain doesn't tangle near as bad as the cables do, plus I feel like it can hurt the integrity of the cable if it gets twisted or bent before setting. Might end up making the switch. I've used them on water traps but never on coyote traps or anything on land, really. Appreciate everybody chiming in.