For those of you that use cable for your drowning rig. What size do you use?

Also, is there that much of a trade off if 3/32" is used versus 1/8"?

I've been using 3/32 and it works for me

1/8" for beaver/otter and 3/32" for everything else. you'd be amazed at the number of coon that went down my 1/8" cable.

IMO, if you keep a tight cable 3/32" works just fine for 'rats, mink, 'coon and beaver. Key with beaver is to be sure your terminal end is anchored firmly.

our beaver snares are 3/32" dont see why it would not work for everything.

1/8" for most everything
3/32 for rats

the 1/8 doesn't kink as much or as easy as the 3/32

if you're rich the BEST you can use is 1/8" 7x19 stainless cable ... it'll hold up the longest vs all other

1/8" for beaver.

1/8 inch for everthing. Lasts longer.

I use 3/32 for everything BUT I use 2 swivels one on my drowner lock and the other on the trap itself.

no stainless in illinois -punishable by loss of lic.

what is that about?forgive my ignorance.

I use 1/8 for beavers

I use drowning rods on beaver, they last forever. I plan on using the same ones for a few coons this year also, but they should be shorter that 9ft. 5-6 would be ideal for most spots.

I use both started out with 1/8 and still have alot of them left then I got a good deal on a 5000' roll of 3/32 about 5 years ago and started using it it works and I havn't had a animal break it yet . Otters generaly trash it but they are still there .If they don't drown right away they trash 1/8 to . with 3/32 its more important to keep them tight than 1/8 because if it's loose somtimes the lock dosn't lock up tight and can slide back a little . this is more prominent if you are just using your universal swivel as a drowner lock ,a L lock will stop most of this. For me it's never been a real issue just somthing i've noticed. Alot of the time I use drowners to just get the critter out into the water because I often times don't have enough water to drown so my drowners take a beating and I've never had anything break 3/32 I get afew trashed from time to time and trim the ends off a few before season because of wear but they have worked well for me .

One thing I do like about 3/32 they wrap around the trap and stake more compactly than 1/8 for storage and transport

Whatever size cable you choose you should get the 7x19 IMO.

7x7 has seven strands of seven wires each. Flexible yet strong. Used in most snares larger than 5/64” diameter. Medium chew resistance.

7x19 has seven strands of 19 wires each. Its greater metallic area makes it stronger than 7 x 7 cable. Most flexible but easier to chew through, not recommended for snares but makes great extension cables and drowner cables.

1x19 is one strand of 19 wires. Stiffest cable of the three but also the most chew resistant and smoothest feel.

Way too much thought put into this. Charles Dobbins used #11 wire.

Dobbins used 14 gauge wire...

Page 60, On the Line with Charles Dobbins. 11 gauge wire. Maybe Charles used whatever he had handy that he knew would work.

Might be i know in the Coon and mink and rat video he said he uses 14 gauge wire for drowners.

I think if Charles read this thread, he'd laugh. He'd figure whatever you had that a beaver couldn't break before it drowned, it was good enough.