How to Tie an FG Knot

How to Tie an FG Knot

 

The FG knot has taken the fishing world by storm over the last few years. This relative newcomer has quickly become a favorite for joining braided line to leader due to its unmatched strengths and small profile. 

The only real drawback of the FG knot is its difficulty. If you haven't given the FG a shot yet, it's time to add this knot to your arsenal. 

Step-By-Step Instructions for Tying an FG Knot

Tying a textbook FG can feel tedious, but there are shortcuts to streamline the process. Here's a step-by-step guide to tying a fast and bombproof FG:

1. Start by wrapping the braided line around your pinkie. 

Step 1

2. Coil the tag end of the leader tightly around the braid, alternating crossing over and under the braid. Make 16 tight wraps. 

Step 2

3. Use your non-dominant hand to grip the coils, keeping tension on the leader tag. 

Step 3

4. With your dominant hand, tie a half hitch around both lines above the coils. Tie another. 

Step 4

5. Pull forcefully on the braid tag end to bury it within the leader coils. The coils should stay evenly spaced.

Step 5

6. Trim the excess leader tag end close to the knot.

Step 6

7. Finish with two more alternating half hitches around only the braid. Pull tight. Trim tag. 

Step 7

8. When you cinch that last half hitch closed, you've got yourself a slim, strong FG joining braid to leader. 

Step 8

Tips for Tying an FG Knot

It take some practice, but you'll soon be churning out FG knots quickly. Here are some tips:

  • Use a bite grip or pinch the braid between your teeth to keep tension while tying. This lets the coils dig in.
  • Check your first coil before pulling tight. If it's loose, the knot may fail.
  • 16 wraps seems optimal for strength and a smaller profile. Much more than 20 is overkill. 
  • Cut tags close. Melted mono ends can snag, so tie a few finishing half hitches around the braid only. 

Follow those tips and you'll have confidence that your FG knots will hold up to the most hard-fighting fish.

Benefits of the FG Knot

After gaining popularity through word of mouth and YouTube videos, the FG has no become one of the go-to-braid-to-leader knots for countless anglers. Why the cult following? Here are some benefits:

Strength: The FG has tested stronger than popular knots like the Albright and double uni. The tag-end-burying coils account for its brute force grim reaper grip.

Thinness: Unlike knots that double the leader over, the FG keeps a slim profile by wrapping the leader around the braid. This makes it less likely to hang up or cut guides. 

Reliability: It may not look pretty, but a properly cinched FG knot won't come undone. The buried nature of the braid inside the leader coils means this one won't let you down.

You'd be hard-pressed to find another knot that offers the FG's mix of power, slim design, and dependability. 

Downsides of the FG Knot

The FG knot isn't without some downsides that must be considered before incorporating it into your fishing. 

Difficulty: It's not the hardest knot ever but learning to tie a snug FG takes dedication. Sloppy wrapping leads to failure. 

Line-size dependent: The FG excels for typical 10-50lb setups. But for light leaders under 10lb or heavy 80lb+ braid, its coils may cut into the leader. 

Can slip initially: The FG needs a good pull to embed the braid into the coils. Until it's cinched tight, it may slip a bit. 

While the FG is clearly here to stay, it's smart to know these limitations before relying solely on this knot.

When to Use an FG Knot

If its benefits sound appealing, you're likely wondering when exactly an FG knot should be your knot of choice. Here are some ideal applications:

Connecting braid to all leader material types: fluoro, mono, single-strand wire. It shines with 10-50lb lines.

Big gamefish where brute strength prevents break-offs: giant trevally, cobia, jack crevalle, redfish, shark.

Thinner is better: for pencil poppers, slider rigs, or to run through guides smoothly.

Next time you’ll be targeting any hard fighters on a braided mainline, pass up the double uni and go for the FG.

Final Thoughts

It may take some practice before it feels natural, but once you master some innovative knots, you'll start to learn why it's so important to expand your knot knowledge. With unmatched strength and a slim, snag-free profile, the FG knot has proven itself as a new go-to for joining braid to leader.

Tie one correctly, put it to the test, and it likely won’t take long before you become a believer too.

Author’s profile: Coty Perry

As a third-generation angler and the Managing Editor of Anglers, he possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience in outdoor activities. He frequently enjoys fishing and camping outings with his wife and children.

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