I'm getting ready for a little offshore action (yea baby!) and was tying up some stuff and I thought i would pass this along. This is the smallest and strongest knot you can use to tie Fluorocarbon to braid.

Still using a back to back uni knot? Get out of the stone age and give this a try.......massive improvement.

I had been using a "Slim Beauty" (be careful googling THAT!) but this is even slimmer and passes through eyelets like a dream. Very strong and easier to tie IMO than a Slim Beauty.

The FG knot is called various names and there are lots of ways to tie it.......most of them lengthy and complicated. This is the fast and easy way.......

FG Knot

scroll down for a video tutorial

Cool knot and it looks easy to tie. Thanks for the link, I'll be using this next trip.

Been using it for 2 or so years. Really like it.

Thanks, mt. I have been kicking around the move to braid and fc for some time, and this gives me some added confidence in this step. BTW: is this the wrong spot to ask folks of their favorite brands/weights of the two line types for walleye fishing? :-)

cool. I will be trying this for sure.

You guys actually think that looks easy to tie!? Cripes! Looks like you need an engineering degree and three pairs of hands to tie that.

quote thinblueline: "You guys actually think that looks easy to tie!? Cripes! Looks like you need an engineering degree and three pairs of hands to tie that."

+1 I'll stick with a double Uni Thanks. I question the knot strength testing as un-scientific. "Its true because I saw/read it on the internet"

I have used it and found it easier to tie the more times I tied it. I also found that if the wraps are not snugged up each time the knot can be prone to fail. Honestly for my types of fishing I go either straight mono or straight braid.
~JOE~

Definitely going to give this a shot over the blood knot I typically tie. Thanks!

All good points........each has their merit. For years and years I have gone straight mono in canoe country and have done just fine. But this year everything is braid.......... I have 4 spools of fluorocarbon leader in 15-20-25 and 100. I like the concept of long fluorocarbon leaders for trolling while using braid.

I have used back to back double line uni knots for decades while salt water flats fishing until I went to the Slim Beauty which is easier on the eyelets to cast (the uni being a bulky clunky knot in comparison but still very strong).

This FG knot is a gem and not hard to tie at all IMO with this method. Check out some of the other tube offerings for the FG knot if you want to see hard AND time consuming.

Joe is right on about the wraps needing to be snugged up but that is true with most knots that have loops which shoulder next to each other.

Anyway.........I'm diggin on this knot and think it is without question the best out there for braid to floro connection. Just a minimal amount of research shows I'm not alone.

As with all knots practice makes perfect. I like fingerless gloves when dealing with braid. You can use biking gloves or weightlifting gloves to help deal with braid. Wrap the braid around your wrist several times..........you just have to be able to pull hard without that stuff cutting into you. The fingerless biking gloves also make for fine paddling gloves IMO.

I think I just found the reason to stop using a slim beauty. Thanks for posting.

Thanks for the tip.Looks easy to use.

I found this a pain to tie using lighter weight leader and braid. Also found it wouldn’t seat well when tightening with lighter lines. Any thoughts on what weights pair well?

TheGreatIndoors: "I found this a pain to tie using lighter weight leader and braid. Also found it wouldn’t seat well when tightening with lighter lines. Any thoughts on what weights pair well?"

How light are we talking? I used 20lb Suffix 832 and 12lb Seagaur Fluorocarbon this past summer for my walleye trolling and thought it was the cats meow without any issues tying it and getting it to stick. Perhaps it is the materials you are using? Not every material does well with every knot.

Are you using the Salt Strong video? There are some other ways to tie it which I also found to be a pain and completely impractical. I think the key is to have tension on the braid line and trap the FC coils as you go with a forefinger. I found that a 90 degree angle as a finish to each coil to make sure they are seated properly (and then kept in place with a forefinger before making the next wrap) was also important. Lastly, I definitely needed readers (magnifying glasses) to insure that each coil was seating properly as I went. It they overlap the knot is no good.

The thing about knots is practice. I do them over and over again. I find that I am clumsy and often ineffective at first but the more I do it the more the pathways in the brain start to get hardwired and next thing I know I am flying through it.

Keep trying. It really is a great knot. But IMO a big part of the satisfaction of fishing is doing things your own way. You may eventually decide that some other knot is better suited for you.

mastertangler: "

TheGreatIndoors: "I found this a pain to tie using lighter weight leader and braid. Also found it wouldn’t seat well when tightening with lighter lines. Any thoughts on what weights pair well?"

How light are we talking? I used 20lb Suffix 832 and 12lb Seagaur Fluorocarbon this past summer for my walleye trolling and thought it was the cats meow without any issues tying it and getting it to stick. Perhaps it is the materials you are using? Not every material does well with every knot.


Are you using the Salt Strong video? There are some other ways to tie it which I also found to be a pain and completely impractical. I think the key is to have tension on the braid line and trap the FC coils as you go with a forefinger. I found that a 90 degree angle as a finish to each coil to make sure they are seated properly (and then kept in place with a forefinger before making the next wrap) was also important. Lastly, I definitely needed readers (magnifying glasses) to insure that each coil was seating properly as I went. It they overlap the knot is no good.


The thing about knots is practice. I do them over and over again. I find that I am clumsy and often ineffective at first but the more I do it the more the pathways in the brain start to get hardwired and next thing I know I am flying through it.


Keep trying. It really is a great knot. But IMO a big part of the satisfaction of fishing is doing things your own way. You may eventually decide that some other knot is better suited for you. "

What weight leader are you using? When we troll for walleye with a rapala or similar, we use 10-12 lb fire line a small ball bearing swivel then a four to six foot six lb XT leader tide directly to the rapala. No matter how hard I try I can’t seem to tie my six lb XT directly to the fire line and have a knot that holds. Do you think this will work with 12 lb fire line to six pound XT?

I don't know Mutz. I have never went that light (6lb XT) with an FG knot. Somehow I would be terrified to put that light of a leader to something with zero stretch like braid anyway even with a rod which was very forgiving.

Somehow I rather doubt it. The FG knot works on the physics of the braid and actually clamps onto the material itself. With 6 lb there might not be much surface to cut into so to speak. Its like every other knot and every other material.............Some work and some not so good depending on the combination. For example, I have a hard time getting 40 fluorocarbon to stick 100% via a tie fast tool and yet it works wonders with most every other lb test. Weird, I know.

Be advised the FG knot is all the rage in salt water circles. But in salt water you are generally dealing with a bit heavier line for the most part. But again, I don't really know having never have tried it and certainly never tried any FG knot with Fireline. I know it is extremely slim and trim and very strong with Suffix and Power Pro. You might want to get onto a walleye forum as there is bound to be discussions with the FG knot.

I think it is best to have several knots in your pocket.....Options are important.....unless of course you always fish the same way, then its tried and true.

BnD: "

quote thinblueline: "You guys actually think that looks easy to tie!? Cripes! Looks like you need an engineering degree and three pairs of hands to tie that."

+1 I'll stick with a double Uni Thanks. I question the knot strength testing as un-scientific. "Its true because I saw/read it on the internet""

I’ve tested hundreds of fg knots it’s much stronger than other knots. For my saltwater fishing it is very important as I am catching fish much heavier than the line rating. Pulling tight and setting the wraps after one or two half hitches is the most important step. The braid that wraps the mono will be a darker color when done right. When finishing I don’t use half hitches. I found if the knot slips at all it will break there. Instead of half hitches I wrap the braid around the main line twice and then snug it up. Five sets of those.

I test 50 lb braid with 50 to 80 pound leader. I pick up a bucket with 40 pounds in it. It holds every time.

If you want stronger connections learn the pr knot or hollow core splice loops. You can splice in hollow to solid braid to make the loops. Both very common for hard fighting saltwater fish.

Mnpat

I do not understand how you finish your FG Knot. Infrequently I have the more usual method of 1/2 hitches come apart. Perhaps your method would be hard to explain?

I like the looks of it and will give it a try.

Had learned the Alberto knot (similar to Albright) from a guide in Mexico one time, and this FG seems easier to tie to me.

I was able to make 15lb braid to 15lb fluorocarbon work, but 6lb leaders were impossible. When the leader gets lightl it’s harder to ensure the wraps are stacking cleanly, especially if your glasses are dirty! It also tends to slip before cutting into the line. I can see how this would be much easier with heavy leaders, much like the video shows.

MT (or anyone else): How do you make a connection to light leaders from braid? I suspect this isn’t in your toolbox... I used uni to uni because it was easiest to handle with the whisker thin lines.

I do not like the sound of light leaders with braid and do not see the point.

Simple overhand knot

I use this knot for all braid to chloro connections. 7-10 wraps. Never had an issue. Simple, Stupid. Works great for ice fishing connecting 6lb braid to 4lb chloro. Even use it in salt water connecting 60lb braid to 50-80 lb chloro. If there is an easier knot connection I have yet to find it.

FlambeauForest: " Simple overhand knot


I use this knot for all braid to chloro connections. 7-10 wraps. Never had an issue. Simple, Stupid. Works great for ice fishing connecting 6lb braid to 4lb chloro. Even use it in salt water connecting 60lb braid to 50-80 lb chloro. If there is an easier knot connection I have yet to find it. "

I have watched the video from the link you provided. Can you clarify what you mean by '7-10 wraps'? Thanks.

I must admit that I am confused by the different options. They all seem to be accompanied by anecdotal testimony of the, "I've never had one fail yet" variety. Is anyone aware of a comparison chart that gives actual test results?

Finally, for this and any other 'braid to flouro' knots, is it helpful/necessary to wet the knot prior to cinching?

mastertangler: "I do not like the sound of light leaders with braid and do not see the point. "

If I only have one spool for some rods and plan to fish for multiple species, from pike to walleye, is there a better option?

I have watched the video from the link you provided. Can you clarify what you mean by '7-10 wraps'? Thanks.

In the video once the loop is made he does 3 wraps. I'll usually do 7 based on a similar video. With the length of leaders I use and fishing style I prefer the size of the knot getting hung up in the guides is not an issue so I'm okay with a bulkier knot and more wraps. I don't pay attention to charts and knot strengths. Tried it last year on a saltwater trip, didn't fail on any tarpon. Good to go in my book.

TheGreatIndoors: "

mastertangler: "I do not like the sound of light leaders with braid and do not see the point. "

If I only have one spool for some rods and plan to fish for multiple species, from pike to walleye, is there a better option?"

Just because I am not familiar with fishing with braid and light line doesn't mean that you can't do it effectively. I try and be transparent........if I don't know something I won't pretend like I do.

I have always just went straight mono in lighter lb tests. Anything under 10lb line in my book is the land of mono. What I see as a potential problem, and I could be mistaken as I haven't really looked into it or even tried to tie light fluorocarbon to braid, is two fold. First of course is trying to get the knot right in the first place with using hair thin lines that I can barely see. Secondly, there is no stretch to help absorb any shock on the leader unless you have a fairly light action rod and a loose drag.......neither of which I am particularly attracted to. I can see busting off big fish on light Fluorocarbon leaders and braid. But thats just me............you might want to dig around on some of the trout and walleye forums and type in light fluorocarbon to braid and see what comes up.

The better option IMO is to have multiple spools. Sometimes I go in with as many as 4 line classes (4 spools) and/or multiple reels.