Fg Knot, Some Thoughts 2025
MickD reply :
Remember a couple weeks ago all the hype over the FG knot, with the strong advocates, the doubters, those who would never think they could tie one efficiently? My experience since then has been this: I finally got a good one tied on my braid to FC setup on a micro (3mm) spinning rod, and have fished the setup 3 days, with that rod being used a lot. The knot goes through the guides perfectly, better than any other knot I have tried, and today it looks like new. Since that discussion I've brought a spool of braid and a length of 20 pound mono to my recliner, and have practiced the knot while watching TV. It keeps getting easier and more reliable with more reps tying the knot. I'm getting to the point where I think I can tie a good one in the boat quite quickly.
Bottom line: It's a great knot, and with reasonable practice it can be tied efficiently and reliably. And, there is one thing it can do that I've not found any other knot can do, smoothly and reliably go through 3mm micros and do it time after time without fuss, getting beaten up, or mysteriously coming undone. I guess that's a number of things. great knot, worth the time and effort to get it down pat.
Silas reply :
I've come to the conclusion that I CAN tie one in my living room but I WONT tie one while fishing.
Wayne P. reply :
I can tie it just a quickly or more so as a 6 turn Uni-uni Knot in my den or on the boat.
Tim Kelly reply :
You really need to practice your uni knot tying! LOL
MickD reply :
I've tied unis for years, no sweat. The problem with unis is their size, won't go through 3mm micros well. Unis have FIVE thicknesses of both lines, including the leader, which is the big one. The FG has one thickness of the leader. I don't need practice on unis, I need practice on the FG.
Wayne P. reply :
On 8/6/2015 at 2:06 PM, Tim Kelly said:You really need to practice your uni knot tying! LOL
Been using the Uni-uni Knot for 40+ years. I sort of know how to tie it too. Never had a failure.
I use the Uni-knot for terminal tackle and direct lure connection also.
Actually I have no issues with the Uni-uni knot using micro guides like the Ducket Micro Magic has.
I use 20# fluorocarbon and 40# superline--6 turns on both sides.
I use the FG knot interchangeably to keep in practice--no issues either way.
The only other knot I use is the Palomar for a dropshot hook.
If you use the FG knot maybe you need to practice that.
Further North reply :
MickD - I agree with your assessments of the FG knot - and wish to highlight the comment about the micro guides...you are spot on.
Is the FG an "everything" knot? Nope. But leader to braid, I've not found one better.
Are they a little harder to tie than some other knots? Sure...but the day I start settling for the easy way when a little more effort gets me much better results...it's time to park me in a rocking chair.
papajoe222 reply :
I watched a video on how to tie it today. The knot looks to be an awesome one for attaching a leader to braid. It does, however look to have a severe learning curve. He didn't look very comfortable tying it. Then again, he was trying to talk during the demonstration.
Tim Kelly reply :
It's a great knot and I've been using it for a year or so now. My comment above was pointing at the speed you say you can tie it compared to a uni knot. A uni knot is a very quick easy knot, the FG is always going to be a slower knot to tie, though it will last much longer than a uni, especially if the uni is going through the guides.
SirSnookalot reply :
I don't see the point of a 3mm guide, so no need for a super thin knot. I've been casting lures and catching fish for decades with standard guides. I have a friend with a custom rod with micros, 8' mh and I was going to get one made up, changed my mind. I wound with up a 8' off the rack with standard guides, we both use the same cabo reel with 20# braid, both rods cast and handle the fish about the same, but there is one difference. He gets windknots and I don't.
I might be crazy but if I'm catching 10-15 and 50# fish with rods and knots I'm already using, why change?
JLeon77 reply :
I've gotten used to tying the FG at home in the garage, haven't braved it in a boat yet. That being said I had it tied on all my drop shot rigs at Lake Erie last weekend and never had an issue while catching dozens of 3-4 lb smallies and quite a few large drum. It's pretty stout and doesn't have any issue going through the guides.
einscodek reply :
On 8/6/2015 at 5:51 AM, MickD said:Remember a couple weeks ago all the hype over the FG knot, with the strong advocates, the doubters, those who would never think they could tie one efficiently? My experience since then has been this: I finally got a good one tied on my braid to FC setup on a micro (3mm) spinning rod, and have fished the setup 3 days, with that rod being used a lot. The knot goes through the guides perfectly, better than any other knot I have tried, and today it looks like new. Since that discussion I've brought a spool of braid and a length of 20 pound mono to my recliner, and have practiced the knot while watching TV. It keeps getting easier and more reliable with more reps tying the knot. I'm getting to the point where I think I can tie a good one in the boat quite quickly.
Bottom line: It's a great knot, and with reasonable practice it can be tied efficiently and reliably. And, there is one thing it can do that I've not found any other knot can do, smoothly and reliably go through 3mm micros and do it time after time without fuss, getting beaten up, or mysteriously coming undone. I guess that's a number of things. great knot, worth the time and effort to get it down pat.
My FG Knots have not failed yet.. its a great knot for certain applications
SirSnookalot reply :
Having to tie a knot at home may render it as a part time knot. There will be times when a new leader needs to be tied on while your out fishing.
Some where I recall reading where this knot was popular in saltwater, I mainly fish saltwater and never saw or heard of it until it appeared here. It's nice to catch a 5# fish and battle it for relatively short period of time, I'd like to see how it does with larger fish that may take 10-15 or 30 minutes to land. If if works well that's great, that said there knots much easier to tie that have already proven the strength issue.
MickD reply :
If you haven't seen the FG on salt here, it may because it was developed in Australia. If you don't like micros, don't use them. If you like your uni-uni, fine, keep using it. If you want to know what I think is the easiest way to tie an FG, go to
ALL I'm saying is that this knot will do things that I want better than any other knot I've found. That's all.
Just trying to provide some tips for those who might be interested, not trying to change the world. I will not take your double uni or Albright or Slim Beauty or Alberto from you. Relax.
WPCfishing reply :
I've just started to learn the FG knot. I can wind it alright. I'm having trouble getting the winds to slide down and tighten against each other. Once I become proficient I'll use it for all my leaders.
For now I'll use the blood knot. I like it better than the United because it has tapered ends.
I use the uni for hook ties.
desmobob reply :
Learning the FG is on my list of things to do this winter. I'm very happy with the Alberto knot, but it does eventually get beat up by the guides. The FG looks like it would be a lot more resistant to that.
Tight lines,
Bob
MickD reply :
Have you watched the video? I think the sliding of the wraps together is key to its success. I had trouble there, too, until I learned it takes a lot of force (Pulling on both pieces of braid, holding solid tension on the leader, and a lot of patience). The wraps don't slide into position immediately; you have to patiently "work" them into position with a lot of force.
Wayne P. reply :
On 8/7/2015 at 1:22 PM, Tim Kelly said:It's a great knot and I've been using it for a year or so now. My comment above was pointing at the speed you say you can tie it compared to a uni knot. A uni knot is a very quick easy knot, the FG is always going to be a slower knot to tie, though it will last much longer than a uni, especially if the uni is going through the guides.
Just timed the FG knot doing it three times. I averaged 32 seconds depending on if I fumbled the leader during the tying.
I have no issues with sliding the braid loops together, just pull the leader tight on every wrap and keep tension on the braid and it lines up tight.
Then I did three 6 turn Uni-uni Knots and averaged 46 seconds. I always do at least 6 turns on both sides. Sometimes I will do 7 or 8 on the braid side to get more taper for the micro-guides.
Tim Kelly reply :
How many half hitches are you doing? The weave takes no time at all, I then do at least 4 half hitches before trimming the leader, then another 4 half hitches to smooth out the transition over the leader and finally a double half hitch to lock the whole thing down. The half hitches are the time consuming part.
WPCfishing reply :
On 8/10/2015 at 9:12 AM, MickD said:Have you watched the video? I think the sliding of the wraps together is key to its success. I had trouble there, too, until I learned it takes a lot of force (Pulling on both pieces of braid, holding solid tension on the leader, and a lot of patience). The wraps don't slide into position immediately; you have to patiently "work" them into position with a lot of force.
I'll try using more force. Thx..
MickD reply :
On 8/10/2015 at 7:59 AM, desmobob said:Learning the FG is on my list of things to do this winter. I'm very happy with the Alberto knot, but it does eventually get beat up by the guides. The FG looks like it would be a lot more resistant to that.
Tight lines,
Bob
I just cut one off that had been used a lot. Cut it off because the leader was getting too short. It looked like new. If it had been a uni, even with much larger guides, it would have been beaten up. Been there, done that.
WPCfishing reply :
The Uni knot did a number on Magnum One rod my tip, it busted the ring out.
Im dropping the rod off to a builder tomorrow. I'm going to have him install a one size larger tip. Hope to have it back Friday.
FinCulture reply :
I tried the FG knot once as of writing this and really messed up on it. It was late at night and after playing around with my knot I just said screw it and went to bed, planning to fish it anyway. The knot didn't break until three trip later when I got caught up on a log. Keeping in mind the knot wasn't even done correctly, that's saying something. I absolutely hate the double uni and have zero trust in it, and I would really like to master the FG.
MickD reply :
The video of the Aussie tying the knot is excellent, so watch it, study it. One thing that I didn't notice at first is that the tag end and the line end of the braid always stay on the same side of the leader as when you start. So if you notice you've got them on the other side all of a sudden, you've probably missed a weave or the leader end slipped out of place (more common with light leaders than heavy stiff ones). When you arrange the weaves each time, you should keep working them until they are tight and look just like they do on a finished knot, then go on to the next stage. It seems everyone has their own idea of how many half hitches. At least two over both lines, then two over the braid, then the 3 tight wraps of the braid over itself followed by the last half hitch, according to the video.
What worked for me in learning the knot was to watch this one video over and over and many tries at tying the knot, and little by little it fell into place. Now a piece of cake, don't give up.
Tim Kelly reply :
It's much easier to do the weaving if you weave the leader round the braid.
MickD reply :
On 8/11/2015 at 9:37 PM, Tim Kelly said:It's much easier to do the weaving if you weave the leader round the braid.
That is exactly what the video posted earlier does. I've gone from "no way can I get this" a week or so ago to "piece of cake."
WPCfishing reply :
I just tied a good FG.. For me the key was the leader and line direction. Tightened it down without issue. Made a few casts in the yard. No more knock Knock! Parties over!
Further North reply :
On 8/12/2015 at 6:15 AM, WPCfishing said:I just tied a good FG.. For me the key was the leader and line direction. Tightened it down without issue. Made a few casts in the yard. No more knock Knock! Parties over!
Yup, that's it, right there.
I love a mono/fluoro leader on my line, it's the best of both worlds...and the FG knot makes it just about bullet-proof.
It takes a little more effort than some other knots...but I've been a "you get what you pay for" guy for a loooong time.
WPCfishing reply :
Anybody using UV knot sense?
MickD reply :
There are a couple more videos on the back of the one posted above, and in one the presenter uses UV knot sense or equivalent. The questions are, IMO, will knot sense keep an improperly tied knot from failing, and if the knot is tied correctly, does it need knot sense? You can pretty well tell on testing the knot right after tying if you have it right, unlike some of the other knots commonly used. The guy in the video says he can streamline the knot further with it. I have not tried it.
adam lancia reply :
You guys are really making me want to revisit this knot...
Tim Kelly reply :
On 8/12/2015 at 9:01 PM, MickD said:There are a couple more videos on the back of the one posted above, and in one the presenter uses UV knot sense or equivalent. The questions are, IMO, will knot sense keep an improperly tied knot from failing, and if the knot is tied correctly, does it need knot sense? You can pretty well tell on testing the knot right after tying if you have it right, unlike some of the other knots commonly used. The guy in the video says he can streamline the knot further with it. I have not tried it.
I think glue sounds unnecessary. I make my last half hitch a double turn and haven't had a problem with the hitches coming undone. The half hitches are what secures the knot, so it's worth doing a few of them. If you only did a couple of half hitches then I expect glue would be insurance against it coming undone, but it's a loads of extra work and mess.
poisonokie reply :
well, I don't use micro guides, and if that's what you have to go through just to use a leader, I'm glad I never jumped on that bandwagon. Uni-uni never fails me and I can bust one out in two minutes. BTW I can't recommend a Daiichi Seiko Finger Saver enough. My leaders have never been better using that thing. Buy a large. Tight (uncomplicated) lines!
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