3/8 does bend and 1/2 inch is heavier weight-wise. I switched to fiberglass, much lighter and doesn't bend that easy and if it does, it snaps back into its original shape. I have some 8 foot and 10 foot lengths.

I only use fiber rods these days. Only time the rebar comes out is when I can double stake the top end and I can't get the bottom end in the because it's too steep or there's rock and concrete. They're sacrificial rods. Beaver bends them, I'll straighten em out or chop em up to make stakes. But the beaver will be drowned at least on 1/2 inch instead of sitting on the bank. If I wanted an on the bank I would of just long chained.

I haave found sometimes if the rod is too flexible and the beaver is pulling hard to the side on the way down, that it can sometimes pull the bottom end out of the bottom. At least that is my theory on how that sometimes happens. I make sure the top end is really staked well in case that might happen.

I've double staked them about a foot apart in that situation as well. That way they can't get back to the shore.

Thanks gang

This^ beaver will tear a 3/8 to bits if he fights much at all

10 foot rod here

Are you guys that are saying 3/8 is too small because you’ll lose beaver? Or just get the occasional bend?

I have used 3/8” for a lot of years and never lost a beaver due to rod failure. Had a few bent rods but nothing I couldn’t straighten in a few minutes or less. For me on the river lighter is better, I wouldn’t even consider switching to 1/2”. I was kinda surprised to see how many use 1/2”.

Just saying that in a pond situation if they get it pulled up they bend the things pretty good but don’t lose the beaver. Most of my beavers are farm ponds instead of rivers or creeks with the steep banks

Anytime you have a live front foot caught beaver on account of a bent rod you run the risk of a twist off if it can't drown.

Are you saying the bent rod pulls up out of bottom? I’ve had bent rods with dead beaver on them but both ends were still attached, just an arc in rod. I’ve also found 1 or two dead beaver with the whole rig pulled up and tangled down stream. My worst bent rods were when beaver pulled bottom out, or sand washed away from bottom and top stake held with live beaver.

I just don't like having a live beaver or wouldn't want to have to look for the whole rig downstream. If they work for you than go right ahead and use 3/8 inch.

I think it’s unavoidable if you trap a lot of beaver. In my river anyway. Occasionally in real fast water over sand the bottom of rod can wash out. Probably another 100 or so other things that can go wrong. I just don’t see how 1/2” over 3/8” would change that. Not looking to argue, I’m actually open to switching if I could find a good reason other than less bending.

thyere not talking about a bow in the rod. theyre talking about the whole 10 foot of rod bent like 3 entangled pretzels, and live beaver sitting on the bank in front of everyone that passes by, possible twist offs, etc. if youre having some pulled totally free and drug down stream, youre not staking the top well enough to start with. 3/8th also pulls free on the bottom end easier due to the flexibility of the rod while the beaver fights the trap.

When I use rods, no matter what material, you should be putting a bit of a bow in the rods when you stake the top end. That bow will get rid of the flex and it will help keep pressure on the bottom end. If you dont have a bow in the rod when you stake it, your angle into the mud is going to be too shallow so its easier for them to pull the rod out of the bottom.

The only other advantage I can think of is you can get a better push on them to get them into a harder bottom vs them flexing in the middle as much. Doubt that is a big deal if you're out there in waders but if you trap in knee boots on little cricks, it's a bigger deal. lol Not worth the trouble of switching IMO, if you're happy with the 3/8.

I could see that Jayme, I do get flex when trying to push the 3/8" in clay parts of the river.

Never had one bent like as pretzel, just a few bends here or there.

I've had a couple out of a couple hundred pull the whole outfit since I switched to rods. One of them I'm pretty sure happened after he was drown from water rising and bank cave in with stake. Found him tangled in a snag down stream. Just the nature of the beast in this river I guess. I doubt the size of the rod would change that.

I do the same thing with the 1/2".

And make a few different lengths. One size does not fit all banks/ depths.

Each one you make comes with a lifetime (or 2 ) guarantee and saves you time and headache over the years.

Yeah, I even custom bend them on site to match bank contour. I like that better than leaving rod “loaded” with abig bow. Loaded bow seems to be putting upward pressure on top stake end.

Here’s a bent one of mine, have to make sure stake hole is oriented right. I usually put a stake in hole when bending so it stays lined up.



Here’s the lock sliding off stake end. I really like that feature when hauling in the boat.