I learned my lesson on not tying off good enough last year. Had a 40lb+ beaver and not quite enough chain to tie it off in a good spot. Instead of going back to the truck for a stake (didn't have any extension cables at that point), I just made do.
Took a couple of weeks for that beaver to surface and me get my trap back. I tried to skin him out, but he was slipping bad by then.
I've gone to quick links and extension cables now. Quick, easy, light, and reusable. I make mine about 10 feet. They work like a charm.