Coupling of geophysical sensor cable sections. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including coupling a first geophysical sensor cable section to a second geophysical sensor cable section. The coupling may be by: telescoping a first connector of the first geophysical sensor cable section into a second connector, the first connector comprising a male connector portion with external threads, and the second connector comprising a coupling ring with internal threads; abutting a first portion of a clam-shell gear against the coupling ring; closing the clam-shell gear such that a second portion of the clam-shell gear abuts the coupling ring, the clam-shell gear defining gear teeth on an outside diameter of the clam-shell gear; mating a pinion gear to the clam-shell gear; and turning the coupling ring relative to the male connector portion using of the pinion gear turning the clam-shell gear.