San Diego Jam Knott vs. FG Knot ?

[ChrisD46]

Whether it be age , lack of ability or time - without a $30 FG Knot tool , I won't be pursuing this knot ... For it's intended purpose , I believe a San Diego Jam knot is as good as any and better than most knots  (plus a I quickly repeatedly and reliably tie it which is a plus) . Bottom line is I want to tie a decent knot and get back to fishing - not prepare for surgery (i.e. tying an FG knot)  !

[Mike L]

If you can “quickly, repeatedly and reliability” tie any knot, I don’t see any reason to try something else. 
 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[Pogues2300]

Resisted trying the fg. Minnesota's winters are long and one day I was watching fishing videos and decided to try it on some line I don't use. Watched a video by saltstrong on YouTube and tried it. First one held, second time didn't... tied it a few more times and been fishing with it since. I feel the complexity of the knot and time it takes is overblown. I just make my leader end right before the reel and that allows for plenty of lure changes. 

[WRB]

The FG knot is used to join leader to braid main line.

The SD jam knot is used to tie line to lures or terminal tackle like hooks and snaps.

The double uni knot or uni to uni knot and the old reliable blood knot are easy to tie and join leaders to braid.

Tom

[waymont]

41 minutes ago, ChrisD46 said:

Whether it be age , lack of ability or time - without a $30 FG Knot tool , I won't be pursuing this knot ... For it's intended purpose , I believe a San Diego Jam knot is as good as any and better than most knots  (plus a I quickly repeatedly and reliably tie it which is a plus) . Bottom line is I want to tie a decent knot and get back to fishing - not prepare for surgery (i.e. tying an FG knot)  !

The FG is not difficult, you just have to follow the directions. Mess it up a few times, and you will get it. By the way, it’s only used to tie a leader to braided line. The SDJ knot is only for tying to a hook or lure.

[ChrisD46]

7 hours ago, WRB said:

The FG knot is used to join leader to braid main line.

The SD jam knot is used to tie line to lures or terminal tackle like hooks and snaps.

The double uni knot or uni to uni knot and the old reliable blood knot are easy to tie and join leaders to braid.

Tom

My bad Tom - thanks ... I meant the "Crazy Alberto" knot for joining braid to leader (I just started using the San Diego Jam knot on jig heads and such - thus had that knot on the brain of late) .

[Smalls]

I use the FG for most applications, but it's not the end all be all. There's a few situations where I'll use the Alberto, instead. The FG works better if the diameter of the leader material is thicker than the braid. Usually not an issue, though. I also have a hard time using it on really small line on my finesse rods. 

[AmSO4]

I use braid to fluoro mostly on spinning applications.  Normally its 12lb SX-1 or Xplasma to 5 or 6 lb Sniper.  I have tried repeatedly to do FG.  Maybe 1 of 3 will bite down and hold.  Not confident enough to actually use it while fishing.  I use a 10 wrap blood knot and rarely have knot failure.

[CountryboyinDC]

I think the FG knot is probably worthwhile if you fish saltwater applications where your leader is stronger (not just greater in diameter) than your main braid line.  For most bass applications, the terminal knot is probably the weakest point until you get to the the arbor knot you used to tie the line onto the spool.  The FG is a neat knot, as is the bobbin knot (can't remember the name), but they both are complicated for someone as simple as I am.

[Yumeya]

I love the FG knot, sure it takes about 20 extra seconds but the knot only having 

one tag end and being super thin and strong is the best leader knot I have ever used.

 

It excels at going through guides and did I mention its super strong

 

[waymont]

On 4/24/2020 at 5:38 PM, ChrisD46 said:

Whether it be age , lack of ability or time - without a $30 FG Knot tool , I won't be pursuing this knot ... For it's intended purpose , I believe a San Diego Jam knot is as good as any and better than most knots  (plus a I quickly repeatedly and reliably tie it which is a plus) . Bottom line is I want to tie a decent knot and get back to fishing - not prepare for surgery (i.e. tying an FG knot)  !

The FG is not difficult, you just have to follow the directions. Mess it up a few times, and you will get it. By the way, it’s only used to tie a leader to braided line. The SDJ knot is only for tying to a hook or lure.  I'm not sure what you are getting at asking about comparing two knots that are used for different applications.

[OnthePotomac]

Make your life easier and just use a uni.  Fast and never fails.

[ChrisD46]

15 hours ago, waymont said:

The FG is not difficult, you just have to follow the directions. Mess it up a few times, and you will get it. By the way, it’s only used to tie a leader to braided line. The SDJ knot is only for tying to a hook or lure.  I'm not sure what you are getting at asking about comparing two knots that are used for different applications.

My mistake (I corrected earlier in the thread reply to Tom) ...

[Jack Czerwinski]

I'll one up on the FG bandwagon. It works great in my micro guides and has yet to fail me. The night before I head out I make sure my leader is long enough and if not, I retie about 6 feet or so of leader. Leaves enough for retying lures and its so small I don't run into issues casting when it goes through the guides.