What is every ones go to rod material. Rebar or smooth rod for drowning beaver. Would like to build a few now before that time of the years comes. I have only used cable. What's the benefits using rod versus cable.

Fiberglass.

Smooth rod next because it's easier to weld and sometimes the ridges on rebar catch and can be a pita.

Rebar for going cheap.

I far prefer rebar. Largest advantage over cable is longevity. Many of my drowning rods are 20+ years !

Another question I forgot to ask what is a good average length.

I use rebar. It is inexpensive and easy to get. You can weld on staking loops and end stops using cheap or free materials. Mind you, I generally can drive the truck to within 200-300 yards of where I am setting so the weight and bulk is not an issue.
I used to run cable and found a lot of beaver would drag the weight up on the bank rather than go down to Davey Jones' locker. We have a lot of silt bottoms with slick clay under that so you can't wade out to stake in deep water and most weights will just slide along the bottom.
Another benefit is that you can switch out the trap, lock and all on rebar, usually with cable you need to cut one end to get the lock off. Rebar is reusable basically forever too.

Every time we change a pole with an old streetlight I keep the braces. Maybe try em out on an ADC job soon.

Got nice loops at the ends…

I like 9' reg rebar.

9' because it fits in bed of my pickup diagonally and I can close tailgate. I don't like longer lengths sticking out and bouncing around.

Regular rebar because the square tubing locks grab and hold on the ridges better. I've used smooth rebar and the tubing locks slid backwards a few time. Rod looked like a pretzel and beaver got back on bank.

A stick of rebar is 20' and I can get 2-10' rods or 2-8' rods and 2-2' stakes per stick.

1/2" rebar 10' long for me.

9' fiberglass rods for me. Hagz top end, shaft collar a foot up from the bottom end, Wild river slide lock.

Rebar as 2 major downfalls. 1. Heavy 2. Way to many times the rod has to bend around something, fiberglass is way better for that.

As far as price goes, Every rod I own has many beaver to its credit, The price difference is pennies per beaver.

Cold finish 7/16” smooth rod. I use a washer lock like the ones Kendall sells and those locks work with chain or rod and never slip on smooth rod and they slide down smooth as silk. Only thing to be aware of when using chain is those washer locks need number 3 American chain or the long link import number 2 chain to lock. Number 2 American chain has links that are too short and it can come back up, although it takes some effort to pull them back up.
Like swamp, i use 9’ rods, for the same reasons. I bought 12’ rods, cut 3’ off each one, and made heavy tube couplers so I can add the 3’ back when needed. I also have some 16” and 2’ extensions. The lock stops at the coupler, but you can use the full 9’ of the rod since the extension is what is pushed into the mud.
This setup has been tested by hundreds of beaver and never bent or failed yet.
I bought some fiberglass rods a month or so ago and I am going to be messing with them, but although they are a bit less weight I expect I will still only be able to carry max 3 setups on my back, so the difference may not be huge. And I have my doubts about the bright white rods for the educated beaver that I have to catch.

I use a 10' section of #4 rebar from Home Depot. My buddy welds two washers on top and a washer and nut about 10" from the bottom AFTER putting the drowning lock on. I neglected the drowning lock one time and ended up with a 9' rod.

Some good information guys. I have both rebar lengths and smooth rod. I was leaning towards the rebar but I see others have their advantages also. Thanks everyone!!

I've used smooth metal rod and fiberglass. Much prefer the fiberglass. It's lighter, doesn't rust, and stays straight. I have some 8' and 9'. I find I can use the shorter 8' in most situations.

The fiber glass rod is it 1\2". Where have you found the longer lengths.

I got some 10 foot fiberglass from Northernbeaver.

The NTA national convention will be in Sioux Falls SD soon as well as Minnesota trappers convention. I'm sure you will be able to find something there and the shipping will be much cheaper too!

i have some 1/2"x10 foot white colored glass rods i'd be willing to sell, if anyone interested is within driving distance of the willmar minnesota area to pick them up. shipping these things isnt an option, and i dont plan to make the minnesota convention this year.

Ok with the fiber glass rods how is everyone attaching the stops and staking ends. I like the idea of lighter because I have to hoof it a ways for some set locations. Its not easy carrying anchors in now days and bags and rocks at location isn't a option.

They are 1/2". I bought mine from a guy who moved out of the area and pretty much quit trapping. I don't know where he got them.