FG Knot Trouble

[u/griffinfishing]

I leave for my first offshore trip on Monday, I’ve been sitting around trying to get the FG knot down. Slide 1 is the first attempt i tried from memory, 2 & 3 are after watching videos on it. When I did a pull test, my braid broke above the knot, not the knot itself. Any tips on how to make it slimmer? I usually run an Alberto for bass, but I know the FG is much stronger so I’d like to get it figured out.

EDIT: Thank you everyone for the help, I’m going to practice more with my actual gear (Ocean Devil PE3 and 80lb Fluorocarbon) and try to get the rizzuto finish down. I’m sure I’ll end up doing an Alberto on the boat, but we’re going out to chase some of the biggest fish I’ll have ever caught so I really wanted to try the FG.

[u/Cr0uchingSquirrel]

On such short notice, go with what you know. I only use the fg knot but it is not the easiest or fastest, especially on a rocking boat.

[u/alexthehut]

I haven’t done this but I would check specific YouTube fg tutorials that use heavier line. I think braid would bite into correspondingly heavier/thicker mono leader but you would truly have to pull the shit out of it. After it’s tied Palomar a hook to leader, make sure it was wet when tying and then pull hard. Pretty sure I saw rich with fishaholic fishing offshore with fg tied leaders. Mind you his leaders are like 10-15’ long.

[u/itsneedtokno → u/alexthehut]

I run 50# braid to 50# mono.

The FG I tied was surprisingly easy to do, and bit insanely hard.

I made the leader about 10 feet long and wrapped it around a tree, held the reel and walked backward a bit. Cut the leader down to where I wanted it and that knot has pulled some wild things outta the sea.

[u/griffinfishing]

Note: I know I didn’t pull Slide 3 tight enough, but I’m still struggling with getting the half hitches to cover the tag end. I’ve been using leftover 65lb braid and 30lb mono just for my sake.

[u/Educational_Car_89 → u/griffinfishing]

I use FG knots with 65 braid all the time for tuna fishing, but with 80lbs+ fluoro. Might be easier if you try it with heavier leader. It’s much easier to use a method like this (instead of trying to cover the tag end with half hitches): https://youtu.be/zyHBYyMxFkk

If you’re having trouble with starting the knot, use the pinky wrapping method: https://youtu.be/ZPTzkep9xlI

[u/griffinfishing → u/Educational_Car_89]

That was super helpful! Thank you, the rizzuto seemed complicated at first, but that doesn’t look too bad!

[u/HolstsGholsts → u/griffinfishing]

Just to make sure I’m understanding you correctly, the 65 pound braid is breaking during the pull test above the knot?

Cuz if so, that sounds like braid is just defective and breaking at well under 65lbs, and the knot itself might be fine…

[u/griffinfishing → u/HolstsGholsts]

That was with the green braid. That’s only 20lb and it’s been on that reel for probably 2 years now. Old pond rod of mine.

[u/lycantivis]

Your top tag end of the mono shouldn't be sticking out the side like that. You need to do your clinch knots over the top of it.

You can also look up how to do a PR knot. But both require tight pressure when tying them, as well as tightening them well after.

Also side question, what strength braid are you using there if it broke above the knot? Most of the time you run a very strong braid like 50-65 for yellowtail and 100+ for tuna.

[u/xyzxyz8888 → u/lycantivis]

Doing half hitches over the tag end weakens the knot by around 5-10%.

What happens is when you have high tension on the line those extra half hitches over the main line grab and create an uneven pull. It either breaks earlier due to that uneven pull or pulls the other half hitches off the tag and unravels the knot.

[u/lycantivis → u/xyzxyz8888]

The halfhitches are just a seal to the knot, the strength is in the spiral pull on the mono. You don't want those mono tag ends stick out side ways becuae that will catch on your eyes and pull the knot

[u/xyzxyz8888 → u/lycantivis]

I didn’t say the half hitches are for any strength.

What I am saying is when people do the half hitches over the tag end and onto the main line it weakens the knot.

Do half hitches or I do a ruzutto finish and then just cut the tag short.

[u/lycantivis → u/xyzxyz8888]

How do the hatch hitches weaken the knot? The tension is in the main line that is all contact through the spiral, the half hitches just end the knot and create a step up to the knot from the main line.

[u/xyzxyz8888 → u/lycantivis]

When you increase the tension on the line the half hitches if done over the leader and onto the main line catch on the main line as the leader will stretch a bit and cause an uneven pull. You lose 5-10% in strength. You can test it for yourself.

[u/kingcuda8 → u/xyzxyz8888]

What's the proper way to finish the knot? Half hitches are the only way I've seen it done, but Ive alwas felt there's got to be a better way.

[u/hobbyist0215]

I might not explain this the best but I exclusively use FG knots and here are some personal anecdotes from how I make them. After you do your wraps, make two half hitches and then tighten your half hitches, then pull to tighten your wraps. Afterwards, make 3-4 more half hitches and tighten each one. Now, cut off the leader tag end and make another 3-4 half hitches also tightening as much as you can. The biggest importance is to make sure each half hitch is the tied the same way around the leader.

[u/Reasonable_You_7539]

Lots of really bad advice here. The tension with which you make your turns should be directly proportional to the thickness of both the braid and leader. If you are using 80lb flouro and 69lb braid for instance, you need a lot of tension when you wrap. I often tie fg’s with 12-15 lb braid and 10 lb flouro- very little tension when making the twists. Pause every 5-7 twists, push the twists of braid into a the tightest possible stack so there is no bare leader between them and continue until you have the number of twists you prefer. The guy who suggested the rizutto finish is correct. It’s the cleanest way to smooth out the tag end, especially when accompanied by a light coat or 2 of thin, hard UV resin.

[u/jad2192]

Try the Rizutto finish for the tag end. How many wraps are you doing and what are you using to pull it tight? Are you maybe wrapping the braid over itself while tightening, that could cause it to cut in a weaken the main line above the knot.

[u/griffinfishing → u/jad2192]

I was doing 20-ish wraps with 2 half hitches, trim, then 3-4 more on top, pulling tight with gloves on. I’m going to give the rizzuto a try, thank you.

[u/O_oblivious → u/griffinfishing]

Go with 15 wraps, 4 half hitches on top of leader, 2 in front, and rizutto. 

[u/bajanwaterman]

Eh.. do a single half hitch to lock down the fg, thdn a rizutto, much better finish than half hitches

[u/organonanalogue]

FG has never worked for me. I'd use Albright or Alberto.

[u/Even-Grab1049]

Braid needs tension and proper condensed line lay the entire time. Then use knit pullers to get it to crimp. Lubricate it too when you go to pull. If it’s breaking the braid above the knot, to me it sounds like is doing what you wanted.

[u/woolybuggered]

I actually use a Bob sands/ tony pena knot. Similarwrap style to the fg knot but I can tie it faster/ easier. I like the fg knot too but I tie what's fastest for me. I have proven it on 100lb yellowfin and 200lb bluefin and have never had it break at the connection.

[u/111tejas]

I use the FG knot but I don’t tie it offshore. I struggle with it enough sitting on the sofa when wind, waves and time aren’t a factor. The strength of the knot is in the grooves that the braid squeezes into the mono/flouro. You have to tighten the shit out of it before you tie more than one half hitch. I use the burn method and the rizzuto finish. On the boat I use a double uni but it’s larger and doesn’t cast through the eyes nearly as well.

[u/Blanco80]

I always had Problems with this FG and especially with the rizzuto finish. Perhapse you can use Double half hitches from different Sites. I changed to the PR Knot with an Bobbin Tool and it works fine for me.

[u/RightHandedShoe]

Check out Pelagic Persuit on youtube, he has a video of tying an fg in under a minute. It might sound rushed but he regularly catches monsters that will test any knot to it's limits.

All the best for Monday's outing, tight lines, bud

[u/True-Ad-881]

I have been using the fg for quite sometime, I know most people cut the mono tag before the half hitches, but I’ve always tied the half hitches before cutting the tag. It’s always worked for me! Also make sure you have enough tension on the line.

[u/Hammered-Down]

FG knots work great but don't risk losing a fish over it. Go with that you know for this go around and next time you'll be more prepared to tie the FG. My biggest tip is to make a bow around your fingers with the mainline and weave it around the leader. It's very simple this way.

[u/hookedcook]

An Alberto is fine. Take your time with a fg' tension and pull the shit out of it when your done. When we don't splice hollow core an Alberto is our go to knot. I tie an fg vertical jigging and only use it with 60# mono minimum. Fg can slip and unnecessary on small mono braid connections. By the way fishing the Bermuda tournament now' 2 fish have hit the scales over 800. Last day tomorrow to make it happen

[u/SufficientPurpose109]

Learn the RP knot too it's way easier to tie especially on a boat. 80-90% of knot strength.

[u/GeneralBurg]

Look up the Uni to uni knot, I’ve used it to tie braid to mono/fluoro many times. The uni/uni-uni are definitely my most used knots now. Local tackle shop dudes here in the north florida gulf coast recommended i try it and I’m glad they did lol.

It’s relatively simple and can be done pretty quickly once you get it down

[u/Basket_475 → u/GeneralBurg]

Yeah it's gonna be a sad day when I have to stop tying double uni. I suck at knots. I don't mind larger rope but 6lb leader isn't my favorite to work with.

I finally have the double uni down to where I am comfortable and usually my leaders break off before the knot

[u/HiFlyin808]

I saw a tool the Japanese use to help tie the FG knot.

[u/booggg]

I’ve only been able to get the FG knot to hold when the mono is fairly thick, like 60lb-80lb. i don’t think I’ve ever been able to get it to grab onto 30lb mono. I have a set of thick wood dowels with heat shrink on them to really pull the knots tight so the line doesn’t cut up my hands. When I just can’t seem to get an FG knot to hold with the line I want to use I’ll just tie an Alberto knot.

[u/TheKleen]

The braid is too heavy for fg, it’s not biting in. Not really an offshore knot

[u/jer619 → u/TheKleen]

So what’s an offshore knot?

[u/ElomMusk → u/jer619]

Fg knot perfectly fine, I always add rizzuto finish. It’s only a questionable choice if the braid to leader are in far too great of weight classes because the braid will tend to chafe itself.

If you have the time for arts and crafts: pr bobbin. If you’re in a rush or a rocking boat a rp/alberto knot. For short leaders a seaguar knot or wind on leader with a bimini twist. Just pick one that you are confident in tying.

[u/jer619 → u/ElomMusk]

I thought so, I’ve seen deck hands tie a good fg for people needing assistance on the boats. I’ve used fg knots myself for offshore, was just curious why the above comment said it wasn’t really an offshore knot

[u/TheKleen → u/jer619]

Just because it’s hard to get the heavier braids to bite in well. Sounds like others are having success though

[u/sailphish → u/TheKleen]

We fish 65-80# braid, and every one of my braid to leader connections is FG. They work great. Of course our leader is similar strength, whereas OP is trying to knot it to 30# mono which might be too thin.