Adjustable Drowner Cables (2024)

Haha, just experienced this yesterday. Trapping a spot for a friend before the season closes later this week. I ended up pulling the cable over the dam, kinda crappy but I made it work.
Some good ideas here that I’ll be trying in fall.

Boco, Thanks for the idea but I agree with some of the comments above that the wire seems like it would take a fair amount of time longer to set up and I would have to adjust the top stake every time I pull in my drowning weight to keep it tight. There are plenty of places that getting the stake in the ground can be very difficult so leave the top stake in place would be ideal. Thus my question to begin with. I also want to stop make my set in under a couple minutes and that does seem to practical if I am making the drowning wires on site. If I was only running a few traps or had more than a 24 hour check would change things as well as I would have more time to make and tend each set.

The Beav, Your washer idea seems feasible but do you have any issues with the cable kinking where is goes thru the washer. Especially if a raccoon get caught in a mink set or by chance an otter.

Wolfdog91, Thanks for your detailed plan. Is there a reason you ended up with a 12" cable going from the lock to the stake end as opposed to a shorter or longer piece? I figured shorter section might be better with the cable loop directly by the snare lock.

Thanks everyone,
Schmattz

This looks like it’s worth trying out. Think I got all the stuff to put one together. The cable Im using has gotta be close to 1/4”….lol. I used #4 copper C crimps to make loops. Tried Bocos tree anchoring the deep end on a job a couple weeks ago. Once it’s hammered in with the axe, could barely pull it out the next day. Shouldn’t have to haul a brick & big cable too often anymore.

You dont have to drive it in that hard,lol.
I shove them in by hand,and when pulling most come out with a couple twists and a pull.
have used bearcats method on the odd stubborn one.