FG knot slip, braid to flouro

[superkamikazee]

I've been trying to tie 50lb braid to 20lb flouro, and I am getting consistently tight wraps. But after tying my half hitches, I begin to cinch the whole knot and the flouro always slips out of the braid.

 

Are the lines too big that I'm using for this know, the braid doesn't seem to be digging into the flouro to grab it, and I never see the line changing color, just slips.

 

Any tips? I want to use the FG knot for flouro leader vs other knots due to having micro guides on my rods. 

 

Thank you

[Big Rick]

If you are using the "stealth" type of braid you will have issues. Stealth braid has coating that make it slicker in the guides. I have had success with it, but it took about 30 wraps. 

 

The best braid I have FG knot success with is Power Pro. 8 carrier works great. The diameter of your lines should be perfect. 

 

As a side note, I also apply knot glue to my finished know after cinching. 

[GaryH]

I'd recommend a Alberto or uni. Haven't had issues with either when tying braid to floro.

[Tim Kelly]

I've had this situation with some combinations of line and leader. Slicker braids and harder leader material of the wrong diameters can make it difficult. Usually making more turns in the weave does enough. If you do 20 wraps normally 26 or 30 will probably do it. If it still won't, try a different brand of leader material. They all have different properties. I'd also say, after you do the weaves do one half hitch then do the pull to set the knot. Once that's done make a couple more hitches, cut the leader, a couple more half hitches then a 3 turn renzetti finish and the knot will be secure for ever.

[Big Rick]

4 hours ago, Tim Kelly said:

3 turn renzetti finish

Never heard of this knot. I'd be real interested to learn it, though. 

[frenchy]

Try tying the two overhand knots in the other direction, if your going over go under, if going under go over

 

[new2BC4bass]

I looked at a video or two when I first heard of the FG Knot.  Seemed complicated and too hard for me to tie.  However, I just now checked out another video to compare its size to the Slim Beauty Knot.  Are you using this method?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPTzkep9xlI

 

I know I am going to give it a try.  Been using the Alberto Knot, but this looks a lot easier to tie.

 

[mcipinkie]

I never have, and still don't, understand all this adoration of the FG knot.  I tried it.  Took forever to tie, even in my tackle room.  Seems like the basic theory is wrap a bunch of thumb knots around the line, back and forth.  If it slips, wrap some more.  If it still slips, tie a bunch of half hitches on top of it.  If it still slips, Super Glue it.  I'd hate to even try to tie 25 fluoro carbon to 50 - 65 lb braid. 

 

I think a lot if it is just guys saying, "Oh, I tie an FG knot.  It's the latest and greatest.  That knot you tie is old fashioned."

 

I tie a seven up, seven down Alberto.  Tie one half hitch with the braid tag around the braid line.  Use this knot for everything from 8 to 25 lb. test.  I pull trees out of the water with the heavy line.  I use braid and leaders for every rod, every reel, every lure, except when I use straight braid.  A little clicky when it goes trough the guides, but I can bomb a lure out there as far as any one, or close enough to catch fish.

 

I'm 74 years old, with bad eyes and degenerating small motor skills, and I can still tie the Alberto in 30 seconds or less.

 

I watched some guy on YouTube, obviously a FG lover, and he took a minute after the had the line between his legs, between his toes, in his mouth, and in both hands.  And he was not out the boat fighting time, wind, and waves.

 

I like trying knots.  If there is one out there, I'll try it.  Went from the double-uni (still a d**n good knot) to the Alberto because I thought it better.  If I though the FG would help me catch fish (THAT IS MY GOAL), I'd tie it, but No Thanks !!  I even tried a Bimini Twist.  Now there's a real knot.

[MN Fisher]

17 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Are you using this method?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPTzkep9xlI

 

I know I am going to give it a try.  Been using the Alberto Knot, but this looks a lot easier to tie.

I've actually been practicing with the 'no tension method' and getting decent results. I may give this a try...my teeth are lousy, so I can't use them to tie with.

[superkamikazee]

23 hours ago, GaryH said:

I'd recommend a Alberto or uni. Haven't had issues with either when tying braid to floro.

 

I might try that instead and just run a short 10-12" leader to avoid having to pass it through the micro guides. 

 

I may have a hard flouro line that's also too slick. 

[Big Rick]

17 hours ago, mcipinkie said:

I think a lot if it is just guys saying, "Oh, I tie an FG knot.  It's the latest and greatest.  That knot you tie is old fashioned."

 

That may be the case with some. But, I use the FG knot with no issues and tie it while on my boat in less than 2 minutes. I have tried them all and prefer the FG due to it's slim diameter and strength. It passes thru line guides and reels with ease. 

 

As far as old fashioned knots go, I use the Palomar for EVERYTHING else regardless of line type. As is the case with all knots, the strength, functionality, and longevity of knots is mainly affected by the proper tying of it. Improperly tied knots fail. One of the most misunderstood and discussed knots on this forum is the Palomar, yet I have used it for 30+ years with very few problems, if any at all. 

 

As always, YMMV and it really relies on the knot itself being tied properly. 

[roadwarrior]

7 minutes ago, Big Rick said:

As always, YMMV and it really relies on the knot itself being tied properly. 

 

If it ain't perfect, it ain't good enough.

 

[DSTN]

I saw a few videos on social media a little while back about tying an FG knot using different methods for creating tension besides your teeth. I believe Gerald Swindle posted one of the videos. I haven't tried it out yet but may be worth looking up for those that aren't fans of the chomping on braid method.

 

I have reverted to the double uni knot for my spinning rod use due to simplicity and not noticing a significant difference in performance. The FG definitely makes things smoother with heavier lines on a casting set up.

[Big Hands]

The line sizes I use are generally at or near the smallest line sizes recommended for the rods they're used on. Maybe that's why I don't have enough issues with the 7/7 Alberto to worry about having to tie an FG knot. If I was feeding my family with money earned from how many fish I could land, I might feel inclined to use it when fishing for money, but sadly, nobody is paying me to fish ;~) If the Alberto was giving me regularly occurring problems, I might consider learning to be proficient with the FG knot, but that isn't happening either.

 

As ridiculous as the Bimini Twist is to tie (not that I would use the Bimini Twist to join lines, and it's been a minute since I have tied a BT), I think I could tie one easier than an FG knot.

 

If the FG is what you need, then more power to you, but it's 'knot' for me.

[Lead Head]

Use your finger nails to scratch any coating off the braid section you use for your knot. This helped me when having slippage problems with the fg knot.

[aquaholik]

50 LBS Braid diameter is too close to 20 lbs fluro to get a good grip on FG knot. 30 or 40 lbs braid max to 20 lb Fluro.

What I wonder is why 50 lbs? To prevent braid dig in? It can't be for strength because 20 lbs fluro will break before 20 lbs braid will with FG knot.

[Lmsmbassaddict]

On 10/29/2020 at 3:11 PM, DSTN said:

I saw a few videos on social media a little while back about tying an FG knot using different methods for creating tension besides your teeth. I believe Gerald Swindle posted one of the videos. I haven't tried it out yet but may be worth looking up for those that aren't fans of the chomping on braid method.

 

I have reverted to the double uni knot for my spinning rod use due to simplicity and not noticing a significant difference in performance. The FG definitely makes things smoother with heavier lines on a casting set up.

 

While Gerald Swindle is one of my personal favorites, he isn't the guy I would start taking FG notes from. He'll admit he's still new and was slow go get on the bandwagon. If you can take a fisherman like Gerald who is using this knot now you know it's good. He used to tie the red Phillips knot and it was actually a decent knot. It's super simple. If your using spinning gear, you really owe it to yourself to learn the knot. 

 

Actually, you should try anyway no matter the style you fish. Its actually a really easy idea, it's just connecting those dots.

[Bankc]

I pinch the FG with my fingers while I'm tying it to keep it tight, so I'm not relying on the cinch near the end to do much work.  Tie the overhand knots in an alternating orientation.  I.e., over then under then over...  Add more wraps if necessary and tie one free overhand knot at the end, like on an arbor knot if it's still slipping.

[txchaser]

One of my rods is always setup with slick 8-carrier 50lb braid and a 20lb hard leader. It took a bit to figure out how to make it work.

 

Here's what works for me:

1) someone above mentioned scraping coating off the braid, if it has some. Do this. Just takes a sec. 

2) Get the line out of your mouth, why try to tie a knot right in front of your face. I can't see a d**n thing that close. 

+3) So tie it to a belt loop or a button hole on your shirt. 

[do the wraps here; I don't think more helps, I think more makes it harder to cinch all the way down. YMMV]

4) Cinch the two half hitches down really really tight. And don't trim the leader yet. 

5) Start the pull. If it slips, instead of a steady pull try a pop-pop-pop motion until it starts to bite. I have to do this on most 8 carrier braids. If popping doesn't work, just wet the braid. Wetting it seems backwards, but it has worked for me.

6) After it is locked in, I mushroom head the leader with a lighter (H/T to Seth Feider)

7) The rest of the finish doesn't really matter. It doesn't hold anything, experiment till you find what you like. 

 

ps: look at the knot in the light, it should be very obvious where it is really locked in. It'll change color a little, and be hard to bend. If it doesn't go all the way up the wraps, you need to set it (pull) harder. 

 

TLDR: pop-pop-pop instead of pull may fix your issue.

 

[mcipinkie]

Add to my previous dissertation (rant?) - Melt the end with a lighter.  I'm really going to do that in a 25 mph wind, in a high dollar tournament, in the rain, with my partner screaming at me.

[Tim Kelly]

On 11/6/2020 at 4:18 PM, mcipinkie said:

Add to my previous dissertation (rant?) - Melt the end with a lighter.  I'm really going to do that in a 25 mph wind, in a high dollar tournament, in the rain, with my partner screaming at me.

Just tie the thing properly in the first place. No need for lighters or glue. No partners screaming at you for breaking off the fish you needed either.  Just practise it, it's not difficult, but it's by far the most reliable knot once you learn to tie it. Takes 3 or 4 minute to tie on the water on the rare occasions you need to. Not worth getting excited about, just an upgrade like all the other evolutions we make to our game all the time.

[BlackwaterPark10]

I use a uni knit for all non flipping hooks\baits and a double uni for braid to leader 

[NHBull]

simple fix.

 

When you cut the leader tag, leave a little.....

use a lighter or Berkley line cutter to leave a small mushroom on the head.  Pull it into the wraps.  finish with the rizzto (sp) finishe. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Berkley_Hot_Line_Cutter/descpage-BHLC.html

 

Have never failed me since mushrooming the tag end of the leader.....

[mcipinkie]

I fished to day.  3/4 oz flipping jig.  50 lb. braid.  25 lb. Big Game (yes, Big Game, not FC), 7 up, 7 down, 1 - 1/2 hitch Alberto. 

 

Got hung about 10 - 15 ft. deep.  Had to tie to a boat cleat and pull it loose with the TM.  Bent the hook on a Fish Boss Gary Klein Heavy Cover Flipping jig.  That's a big, heavy hook.  Don't see any need to spend 3 - 4 minutes trying to tie an FG.  

 

Switched to drop shot.  10 lb Power Pro Slick, 8 lb FC leader.  Same knot.  When I tried the FG, I didn't see the knot as any significantly smaller than the Alberto.  It's a little knot in little line.  If you like it, tie it. It's your time and money, but I'll not be convinced it's anything that puts more fish in the boat.  To me it's the kind of knot that you spend 3 - 4 minutes trying to tie, then have it slip when you cinch it down.  In the heat of battle, stay simple.  If I was convinced the FG knot had value, I tie about a 20 ft leader at home before I left for the lake, and  hope I never had to re-tie on the water.

[superkamikazee]

I finally tied the FG knot, the trick was really really tight wraps around the flouro. I did around 20 wraps. Really impressive how small the FG knot is and how well it goes through the micro guides on my airdx rod. The knot is really strong, held up against a 40" pike and dozens of backlashes when casting. I'd never tie this knot out on the water, definitely a tie at home type of knot, at least for me.