FG knot technique ("FG knot in under a minute")

[jimanchower]

Curious if any of you guys and gals have tried this FG knot tying method.

(start back at the beginning of the video to see the full description and technique)

 

I certainly didn't get it immediately, and then it took me a while to be able to do consistently, but I can tie a perfect, consistent FG knot in under two minutes using this method. Half of that is tidying up the tag ends and doing the finishing hitch knots, where I take my time. This probably isn't the best way for someone to learn the FG knot, but for those who tie it regularly I think it's a good method.

[desmobob]

This is a great shortcut for the FG on a heavy leader.  Where the FG starts getting more difficult is when you're trying to connect 6lb. or 8lb. mono onto light braid.   

[jimanchower]

9 hours ago, desmobob said:

This is a great shortcut for the FG on a heavy leader.  Where the FG starts getting more difficult is when you're trying to connect 6lb. or 8lb. mono onto light braid.   

 

More difficult but certainly not impossible. I use my teeth on the tag end of the leader to help get a little tension on the leader line and keep the wraps tight. I like that this method lets you do everything right in your lap - no need to use the rod to keep tension or anything like that. For me, it's changed the FG into a knot I'm confident tying quickly while on the water.

[gunsinger]

I was trying the FG knot. The first time I tied it, it was good. The next two time though, the leader pulls free of the knot when I tightened it. Not sure what I was doing wrong but this method looks a lot easier than what I was doing.  

[MickD]

I really like that he's pointing out that there is a negative effect in too many weaves-they won't tighten down and lock onto the leader.  Most people seem to think the more the better.

 

I will have to try this.  I think it will not work as well with less rigid leader.  He's using what I think are very heavy, stiff, leaders, so that finger length of leader stands out stiffly.  That will not be the case for something like 10-15 pound test leader.  But I'll try it.

 

The weakness of the FG, IMHO, has always been that it does not work as well with lighter leaders as it does with heavier ones.  

 

 

[desmobob]

On 8/21/2021 at 4:55 PM, MickD said:

The weakness of the FG, IMHO, has always been that it does not work as well with lighter leaders as it does with heavier ones.  

That's my experience as well.  I use an Alberto on the small diameter leaders and braid.

[A-Jay]

I have not made the switch to this knot.

My bass fishing applications require a line diameter

that seems to make effectively completing it fairly tricky for me.

Tried this 'version' of tying it yesterday.

No Joy.

#uniknotforme

A-Jay

[gunsinger]

I tried it as well using 15# fluorocarbon as the leader.  As @desmobob stated, unless your leader is sufficiently stiff, this just doesn't play well.  So, for now, I'll stick with the crazy alberto.

[Functional]

This has been the easiest method for me from 6lb to 20lb. Havent had an occasion to try heavier yet. Can tie it in a yak the same as a boat, just need a bit of rod tip tension.

 

 

[HaydenS]

2 minutes ago, Functional said:

This has been the easiest method for me from 6lb to 20lb. Havent had an occasion to try heavier yet. Can tie it in a yak the same as a boat, just need a bit of rod tip tension.

 

 

This is how I tie mine^

[gunsinger]

That's the method I tried first.  However, after tying the two half hitch knots, when I go to pull on the braid to tighten the coils, rather than tighten down and cut grooves in the leader, the leader just seems to slide through the braid until it comes completely out.  

 

What's odd is, the first time I tried it, it was perfect.  But it's not worked since.  I'll have to practice some more.

[NHBull]

10 minutes ago, gunsinger said:

That's the method I tried first.  However, after tying the two half hitch knots, when I go to pull on the braid to tighten the coils, rather than tighten down and cut grooves in the leader, the leader just seems to slide through the braid until it comes completely out.  

 

What's odd is, the first time I tried it, it was perfect.  But it's not worked since.  I'll have to practice some more.

One trick is to knob the end of the leader after your cut it with a lighter or hot object.  It creates a small mushroom and prevents it from pulling through and makes up for any error when tying it

[newapti5]

Very interesting technique, a little different from how I tie the FG barehanded. I should definitely try it, but in my age, I sometimes need to force myself to try new things. 

[Functional]

5 hours ago, gunsinger said:

That's the method I tried first.  However, after tying the two half hitch knots, when I go to pull on the braid to tighten the coils, rather than tighten down and cut grooves in the leader, the leader just seems to slide through the braid until it comes completely out.  

 

What's odd is, the first time I tried it, it was perfect.  But it's not worked since.  I'll have to practice some more.

 

Sounds like you might not have enough tensions when weaving the leader into the braid. I wound up looping the leader material (not tag end) around my ring finger a few times so I can keep good tension on the leader. This lets me get more tension on the braid/rod when weaving.

[Bankc]

On 8/21/2021 at 3:55 PM, MickD said:

The weakness of the FG, IMHO, has always been that it does not work as well with lighter leaders as it does with heavier ones.  

 

 

I haven't had this problem.  On my drop shot/ned rig rod, I use 10# braid with 4# or 6# fluoro.  One thing I do differently is I tighten it as I go and keep it tight by keeping the knot pinched in between my fingers along the way.  So when I go to cinch the knot, there's very little, if any, movement.  

 

That's also why I won't use this technique.  It doesn't seem like it would be good for keeping the knot tight as you tie it.  The way I do it, the braid isn't wrapped around the leader, but is woven into it.  So the leader isn't running straight through the middle, but is wrinkled a bit.  It's harder to tie and takes longer, but it holds better than any terminal knot I can tie.  I've never had an FG knot fail on me.  

[jimanchower]

2 hours ago, Bankc said:

I haven't had this problem.  On my drop shot/ned rig rod, I use 10# braid with 4# or 6# fluoro.  One thing I do differently is I tighten it as I go and keep it tight by keeping the knot pinched in between my fingers along the way.  So when I go to cinch the knot, there's very little, if any, movement.  

 

That's also why I won't use this technique.  It doesn't seem like it would be good for keeping the knot tight as you tie it.  The way I do it, the braid isn't wrapped around the leader, but is woven into it.  So the leader isn't running straight through the middle, but is wrinkled a bit.  It's harder to tie and takes longer, but it holds better than any terminal knot I can tie.  I've never had an FG knot fail on me.  

 

You're exactly right about this method and the difficulty of keeping tension in the knot. I do two wraps and then use my teeth to get the leader tight and kind of work the knot between my fingers. Then repeat until I have 14-16 total wraps. It takes me closer to 2 minutes to do it, tag ends and all.

 

Another downside of this method: you trim off a good bit (12-18") of braid on the tag end. Not insignificant compared to losing just a few inches of main line as with other methods, or other knots.

[MickD]

On 8/24/2021 at 9:53 AM, Bankc said:

I've never had an FG knot fail on me.  

You just may be the Lone Ranger.  I just don't seem to be as competent as the Lone Ranger.  The Alberto with a couple half hitches of braid to finish it off is much more reliable for me than the FG.

[Big Lou]

On 8/23/2021 at 8:36 AM, Functional said:

This has been the easiest method for me from 6lb to 20lb. Havent had an occasion to try heavier yet. Can tie it in a yak the same as a boat, just need a bit of rod tip tension.

 

 

 

^^This is the way I do it too. Keep the tension and pinch continually as the wraps get longer. There is not much cinching down to do on my best ones.

 

I'm usually tying 15-20lb J-Braid to 8-10lb FC Sniper.

 

Haven't tried the OP's posted method. Looks like the leader he's using is pretty stiff.