Guys that are using rebar for their drowning rods,, are you guys using 3/8 ??
I can get rebar easier than the fiberglass rods.
I’ve always used 3/32 cable tied off to sandbags for my drowning rigs for years, I’ve been watching a ton of videos lately about those drowning rods and I think I’d like to give them a shot.

In my opinion 3/8 is to small. I use 1/2 inch rods.

I made mine out of 1/2" rebar 10' length. Welded 1/2" washer 10" from bottom end, top end welded 3/4 washer for stake.

1/2 10" with a piece of 1 1/2 angle eight inched long welded on the stop end. It gives the rod way more holding power. The stake end has a loop that the drowner stop will slide over. You can change traps by pulling the stale. It is also long enough to cross stake on the land end.

I use 3/8”. I like to bend the top foot or so of the rod down on some of them. Makes them stake easier when there’s a sharp drop off from bank.

They will bend 3/8" bad if they get the bottom end loose and have something to wrap around, don't ask how I know. lol

If you plan on using them much, definitely go with 1/2".

Yup, fer sure. I’ve had to straighten out a few of them.

The thinner diameter makes it easier for me to rig the stake end so lock slides over stake hole. Makes it easy to slide traps off and on rod.

Rebar is not good for rocky bottoms. I use cable and a cement block when I’m dealing with a creek bottom that I can’t get the rebar solid. I you 1/2 rebar.

This^^^^

3/8" will get bent up like a pretzel.

Another option is 9ft or 10ft of #2 welded link chain and a brake rotar off a pickup truck or other full size vehicle.

1/2" Rebar 3/8" will bend to easy

I use 3/8" specifically because it bends easily. I often have to bend the rod to get the geometry right from edge to deep water, but I primarily trap narrow steep sided ditches.
I just bend as needed LOL. I also trap less than a dozen beaver a year so take it for what it's worth.

I use cold roll 7/16” smooth rod. I quit using rebar after I used the 7/16” smooth a few times, it is rod perfection. But I bought it long ago when steel prices were not so high. I would definitely take the advice above and go with 1/2” if you are using rebar.

Theyll bend half inch too. ive had coyotes bend half inch 5 foot kill poles on hip catches.

1/2” rebar is far superior ! I have 1/2” rods that are 20 years old.

I use 1/2 ". The mud where I trap is pretty solid. 1/2" allows me to push it into the bottom suffiently. If it gets in atleast 6" it won't come out even when a big beaver slides down.

1/2" rebar here.

1/2" REBAR

I run 1/2” rebar cut to 117”. They fit flat I the boat and I haven’t yet heard a beaver complain that the rods are too short.

1/2" rebar utilizing the Bauer's no weld system. Perfect for those of us who don't have access to welding equipment. I do not believe these are sold anymore. But a fella could look at the picture and copy the design with no problem.

When I ran a small trapline supply I bought a box of these. Still have quite a few left for the remaining years, however long that lasts.