I tried cable anchors for one season some years ago. I decided they were more trouble than they were worth and switched back to 18" single and cross-staked rebar. I don't walk far on my land lines so weight is not an issue.

Not a fan of rebar, just too much weight and hassle carrying. I also became frustrated with the cable ends and always felt like the ferrels could be a weak spot, although I never had a failure. I settled on super stakes with chain and would never go back to either of the formentioned methods. It is nice to have choices and I know my method may not be for everyone.

Started with cable anchors and have no plans to change.

All of mine have a 6" piece of chain so I can drive them down deep enough not to have to deal with the tail loop of the cable

Cable with 2" fender washers or WolFangs...or DirtDogs, if I can find them.

Can build with WFs or DDs cheaper than 2" fender washers if you can find them for $40ish/per 100 ends.

I use 3/32" 7x7 cable...15" long. Cut em about 2" below ground when I pull trap.

My time, back, wrists, elbows, and shoulders are worth way more than a 60cent cable stake.

Rebar for me.

They both have their pluses and minuses. I like the ease of earth anchors, but personally I double stake with rebar. I still carry wolf fangs and my driver in the truck if I decide to go that route though. If I have a hot location that I might trap the following year I'll put a wolf fang in and on pull day disconnect from the quick link and tie orange surveyors tape around the cable.

I always thought that was a good idea but it is not legal in my state! They don’t want you to get a jump on the eighty billion raccoons….

Clay…drags
Good soil…chained super stakes.
Made cable super stakes for my DP’s. Most I push in by hand and pull up by hand. After a catch or two just pull up and move over a few feet. Ain’t had a coon yet smart enough or strong enough to grab the cable and pull it up. They ain’t pumping nothing, they run side to side.

Cross stake for me also.Single stake would be fine if it weren't for our Coyotes.

I tested the earth anchors side by side with rebar. I went back to rebar. Keep rebar straight and it actually saves you time in the short and long term. you can pull two rebar a LOT faster than you can anchors if the rebar isn't bent.

The only advantage I can see to anchors is if you're running straight sand or using them as a disposable where you're just cutting and running.

If you are going to use anchors, switch to chain. Cable's a pain. And yes, even chain will break upon retrieval at times. Do NOT pull them with the puller between your legs. You'll learn that one the hard way only once.

Another advantage to cable stakes vs rebar is if you set a bunch of traps.....ie 100 to 200 per setup. That's a lot of rebar weight.

I still have my "old casket", a hand made wooden crate as I use to call it. Sort of looks like one of those old wooden caskets you would see back in the old cowboy movie days. I had big heavy hemp rope handles on the ends to carry it. If you were tired, it took two men to carry it when full.

It hasn't moved for many years but I have been thinking about going back to my smooth rods, rebar and dog knot stakes for cross staking. Sort of miss those days.

All sizes of stake lengths and widths that I needed. They certainly are heavy collectively, but I knew them and trusted them for many years. Certainly held well and so much easier to pull up then cables.

Somebody remind me how to make one. such and such rebar with such and such washer. How long?

It's been over 20 years so... #4 rebar (1/2") 15" long for cross stake k9. 18" for coon. I think 5/8" nut welded on one end is what I used. Just slid the nut over the rod tell rod was flush with top of nut and ran a bead around it with a 3/32. 7018. Nut size is the only thing I don't 100% remember.

Leave the rod a little proud of the nut, that way you are beating on the rebar end, not the welded on nut.

Mostly clay or black loam here. I run standard Berkshires on 16" of twisted wire for raccoon (DP's). It is lightweight, strong and fast and I am confident that as long as I don't make a set that offers the animal straight, upwards pull then there isn't any coon strong enough to budge that anchor. Also, since I anchor the traps with only 12" of chain above the ground, there is no opportunity for a running start and pretty much any pull will be sideways in relation to the anchor.
If there is any question about the anchor holding, like in soupy muck along a creek, I generally switch to long smooth rod stakes through the swivel body. These don't allow an upward pull because I generally leave 12" or more of the stake protruding and the swivel body just slides up the stake and doesn't allow pumping (I am careful to avoid anchoring close to vertical surfaces like trees or steep banks).
For anything larger than raccoon, I honestly don't have much experience but I have my K9 traps set up with Wolf Fangs on 1/8" cable and based on my testing, I am confident that they'll hold. I do see the appeal of cross staking with rebar, but as stated, I really don't have any business having an opinion when it comes to K9 trapping.

I like wolf fangs 3/32 and leave em in the ground for the next year. I use rebar for DPs typically unless I will have them in the same spot again the next year.

Are you sure? I don't think it's illegal to leave stakes in the ground outside of trapping season.

Title 34

SUBCHAPTER D

FURTAKING REGULATIONS

SUBCHAPTER D

§ 2361. Unlawful acts concerning taking of furbearers.

(a) General prohibitions.--Except as otherwise provided in this title, it is unlawful for any person to:

(3) Stake out or set traps for furbearers prior to the date and hour fixed as the open season for taking such animals.

I guess that could be open to interpretation but I take it to mean no staked traps outside the season.

^^^i don’t know I feel like I heard it somewhere. Trappers school maybe. We def need to clarify this because that could certainly save some effort putting in sets. Especially if you’re pre baiting…

Just another one of the gray areas that seem to be built into our Title 34 Game Code. You'll likely get different answers from different wardens.