The FG knot is the benchmark knot against which other line-to-line knots are usually measured. It’s popular in the fishing world, but especially in Australia.
Why is it so popular ?
Because it’s proved to be the number 1 strong and thin knot compared to other braid to leader knots according to salt strong guys. It only takes 30 seconds to 1 minute if you practice it well.
In this article I’ve managed to put together 3 ways of tying an FG knot , including an easy one that I personally recommend. Keep reading to learn more info.
Way 1: The Traditional way of tying FG knots
Notes:
- Make sure you’re cutting any damaged part of the line before starting your knot.
- Make sure none of the lines are touching any rocks.
Steps:
- Take the line coming from your spinning reel, 3 guides to your mouth. Don’t pull it hard, just flex your head to maintain the tension.
- To begin the knot, hold the leader in your hand and put it on your braid under tension.
- Push it around & under the braid and pull until it’s tight.
- Rest your finger on it to keep it and do it again towards you while keeping the tension.
- Do around 20-25 wraps
- To finish it off, grab the mainline and wrap it around the tag of the mono and do a double half hitches knot or a risotto knot
- Now you gotta pull the lines really hard to lock it down and provide some strength in it. (Use gloves to avoid the pain)
- When you wrap the line around your hand, be careful not to lay the line over itself, make sure it has its own zone every time between the mainline tag and the mainline itself.
- Pull the mainline and the leader against each other to tighten the FG itself
- Now do a last half itch with the tag
- Cut the tag or burn it and enjoy fishing!
If after casting for hours, your risotto has slid a little bit down to the bulb, don’t worry it’s not a problem, just check it and make sure there’s not a loop coming off or anything like that
If you doubt your knot just cut it off and make a new one.
Way 2: The easiest and quickest way to tie an FG Knot
- Wrap the line around your small finger.
- The trick: We still gonna have tension, but instead of using our mouth for the tension, we’re just going to wrap it around our pinky finger (around 4 to 5 times), now you can control the tension with your finger while still having nine other fingers to tie the knot.
- Wrap the leader around the braid
- Now the normal wrapping method, wrap the line to take the lead line over the braid and then just go around once, then pull it straight while keeping the tension.
- Wrap one over the braid and the other under it.
- It’s all a matter of feeling you can even do it in the dark.
- Do around 20-25 wraps.
- ِAdd 2 half-hitch knots to lock the coils in place
Note: Some people don’t trust half hitches, you can do multiple hitches if you want.
- Press with your finger to hold the coils in place. Make sure you’re getting both lines in these knots above the coils.
- Now Lock it with half hitches and give it some pressure
- Apply tension
Important : this knot only works when the braid has dug grooves into the outer layers of the leader, so we have to give a lot of force now to do it.
- wrap the braid around your hand a few times after wearing gloves. Pull-on the knot to let it really go deeper.
- give it a lot of pressure watching the coils tighten down all the way down to the very end. Be sure they are evenly spaced out.
- Be sure the first coil (The most important one) is well tightened up, otherwise, you’re risking this knot slipping off.
- Cut the tag end of the leader off
- The coils will typically slide up a bit after adding tension to it. That’s why you don’t want to cut the tag end off first.
- Tie two more half-hitch knots to make the top smoother and don’t get any debris stuck in.
- Cut off the braid tag end and Enjoy fishing!
I personally recommend this method. This the strongest method because we maintained the tension and have all the coils done equally + in addition to the pressure step.
Way 3: How to Tie FG Knot
- Create a loop by getting the line over your index finger and thumb, forming a triangle. Keep the lines nice and tight. Put your middle finger inside to make it easier to hold the leader when you pass it through the loop.
- Keep maintaining the tension in the braid around the index finger and the thumb. Use about 4-6 inches of the leader. Now enter the end of the line into the loop. Grab the end with your middle finger and hold it, then take it from the top and bring the line straight up.
- Wrap the line down one side of the loop, hold it using your middle finger, then take it from the top and bring the line straight up. and then you will wrap down the other side of the loop.
- Repeat this weaving, alternating one side to the other. (Side, middle, the other side, middle)
Important: Always keep very strong tension on the leader.
Make around 25-30 wraps or until the weaving reaches about 1.5 to 2 centimeters. For lighter lines add more wraps. For thicker ones make fewer.
You can add some tugs to ensure tightness.
- Squeeze the spot where all three lines come together and release your fingers from the braided line. (enjoy the feeling of relief Hahaha!)
- Hold the tension in both lines. Finally, make a half hitch with the tag of the braid around the 2 lines and pull it up strong and tight.
- Make about 6 to 8 more half hitches. the direction doesn’t matter. After pulling the last one tight,
Important: Wear some gloves and get ready to pull it really hard! This way it will be locked down and get stronger. (It’s a good workout too!)
- Trim the leader
- ِِِAdd 3 or 4 more half hitch knots with the tag of the braid around itself to finish it off.
- Trim the tag end close.
- Make sure the knot is not slipping by pulling hard.
When to Use FG Knot ?
- The FG is used to connect a braid to a monofilament or Fluorocarbon leaders.
- Bass fishing, popping, and jigging.
- While setting up rigs.
- For anglers who cast or jig for giant and powerful game fish including tuna, GT, etc.
Why The FG Knot Is The Best Knot For Connecting Braid To Leader Material ?
- According to Salt Strong guys, FG knots had the highest breaking strength point compared to traditional knots such as the Uni to Uni.
- Usually, there’s a high chance of slipping off when we try to tie a light braid around a heavier mono leader. To make a solution, you need to double the braid with a bimini twist, a spider hitch or other knot. FG works by making the ratio of the braid diameter irrelevant to the leader diameter because it’s wrapped around it.
- It’s the slimmest 2 line-connection knot. You won’t have a problem reeling your leader/braid connection through your guides. This avoids you getting your guides broken.
- In many situations like fishing for trout, You will need to wrap on a lot of mono or fluorocarbon leader for trout on top of your braid. This makes the low stretch, thin diameter profile of the braid a necessity. You will also need 50ft of monofilament/ fluoro to avoid abrasion resistance. This knot can help you by replacing more expensive wind on leaders.
Fg Knot Tips
- Do not forget to tighten the knot at the designated steps to lock the coils in place. Otherwise, you’re risking slipping off and failing.
- I don’t recommend putting super glue on the knot because it tends to crack when it is under pressure. That leads to sharp edges compromising the line. Besides, the junction loses pliability.
- Maintaining tension on the lines is necessary to success.
- This knot is better than relying on swivels that can make the fragile mainline weaker and damage rod guides. Especially ultra light rods like trout rods. It is also more time-consuming to tie 2 knots to a swivel.
Fg Knot Mistakes
If you follow the instructions listed above, you will tie it like a pro. But I want to illustrate some common mistakes you should avoid
Check the video below to learn more about them.
FG Knot history
The full form fine grip (FG) was originally designed by GT fishermen for the following reasons :
- Their line-to-line connections were giving away due to giant fish.
- They wanted knots that could easily pass through the guides because they were casting poppers and swimbaits.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The strongest 2 line connection knot out there
Cons
- Time-consuming
- Needs practice & perfection
- If not tied perfectly right, it can lead to slipping and wasting catches.
What to do Next ?
Don’t be frustrated if you failed tying it several times, you will succeed eventually. If you faced a high failure rate try to increase the wraps to 30 or40.
Try it, leave your feedback and share the article, so the ones who need it find it easily.
Feel free to check our latest Fishing Tips & Tricks and our guide to how to tie Palomar knots.