The fender washer set up is a pain. Would a nut or 3" rebar piece using JB be strong enough? Thanks.

Using 1/2" rebar as the body of the stake? It probably would if you clean both surfaces really well and were using a nut and leaving ~ 1/4" rebar sticking up out of the nut so you could peen over the end of the rebar when you drive it, thus giving more security. If I were to try that, I'd make sure it was NOT quick-set JB and would let it cure for at least a couple of days. I'd also cut off the other end of the stake at an angle to make it easier to drive into extremely hard ground.

I use stakes at least 75% of the time where I trap due to the lack of vegetation to use a drag.
To me, welding a large nut on the end makes for a secure, long lasting stake that I don't have to worry about.

There are some really inexpensive, small wire-feed welders that run off of 110/120VAC and are set up to strictly use flux-core wire, giving you another useful tool in your shop and will pay for itself many times over for home/hobby type stuff.

Ed

I've made stakes from 1/2" rebar and then slid a nut on the rebar leaving an inch or so protruding... heat it red hot and then hammer the nut flat. I've never had one fail.

I would use the epoxy that you use to put all thread in concrete if it ain't welded

Rebar is soft enough that, if you have a good vise and a big ball peen hammer, you can flatten out one end so a properly sized fender washer won’t get over it. You can the drill your fender washers near one edge and “s” hook your chain (which you should shorten to 6”) to the fender washer. Drop a stake, so headed, though the washer and there you are.

Personally, I gave up rebar for cable “stakes” a long time ago. They’re less weight and way more secure. A big northeastern coyote can rear up high enough and strong enough to pull a stake unless it’s extra long, and sometimes you can’t get an extra long stake in far enough in rocky dirt. If you have to angle it, you’ve effectively reduced the length and made a pull out possible. If you double stake, you’ve lost the swiveling capability. Also, with a cable, if some dirt bag steals your catch, at least they won’t get your trap unless they’re carrying cable cutters.