After seeing guys on here talking about the GT knot I decided to give it a shot. I never had any problems with the FG, but the GT is significantly faster/easier to tie and tested out stronger. 

 

15lb Suffix 832 to 14lb Sunline Sniper FC using a weightless Stick-O T-rigged on a 4/0 Owner EWG hook. Landed 10 fish with a 3 and 4.1 being the biggest. That is a pretty big hook and I was slipping a tight drag on every hookset. 

 

50lb Suffix 832 to 25lb Sunline Sniper FC using a 1/2oz Siebert Gridiron Brush jig. Landed 4 fish all small (between 1 and 2 pounds). Again a large hook and big hookset.

 

It's a small but encouraging sample size. No failures and I was pretty much trying to break it. It passed through my guides (5 on the 15lb setup and 6 on the 50) just fine and is not noticeably larger than the half hitch portion of the FG.

 

What are your experiences? In your opinion, did I just get lucky or is the GT actually a better knot than the FG?

I've used it on 3 bass trips and 2 walleye trips so far.  On my dropshot rods, 20# TufLine to 6# Tatsu, I have not broke off at the leader knot yet. On the walleye rods, 40# Powerpro to 12# Sniper, same results.  I'm sold on it.

Another trip out today with with very similar results. Used the same leaders and had zero issues. This knot is easy to tie and rock solid. 15lb setup hauled in a foul hooked 3+ lb bass. 

I'm excited that I have found a leader knot that can handle big hooksets and isn't as time consuming as the FG. Its honestly probably the easiest leader knot I know how to tie.

One of the reasons for the FG is that it is so small, good for small guides.  The GT is much larger, with three thicknesses of leader.  It's almost as large as a double uni.  It obviously is easier to tie without screwing it up, which is the weakness of the FG.  

 

But when one wants an easy to tie smaller, reliable,  knot, the Alberto is my choice.  For a while I was screwing up the Alberto by not taking the tag end out the right way, but once I got that figured out and corrected, it's a piece of cake and I've had no failures using 20 pound braid and 15 pound FC leaders.  I'll stick with it because all my rods have micros, usually Fuji KT 4's.

I use the Alberto when I'm not swinging hard and have had no problems with it in that application. When using stiffer rods and big hooksets the Alberto failed on me often, so I started using the FG in those applications without issue. 

 

The GT doesn't seem that much larger to me, maybe I just need to look closer. Either way it passes Microwave guides (5's) just fine so I'll stick with it. I built my XH pitching rod with KT 6 guides because I knew in some places I fish I would want a leader.

Haven’t tried this knot before, but I just tied it for my next trip out. Looks like it might be slightly thicker than the blood knot I usually use, but still thin enough to pass through the t wing on my daiwas. 

I just went out and tied a few GT's.  It has some very positive characteristics, IMO.  It in fact does not look much bigger than an Alberto; I'll measure a few of each when I get to it.  Of course it doesn't matter if it is bigger if it clears the guides one is using cleanly.  It is obviously easy to tie and from tying a few, I think it would be hard for me to screw it up.  The tying process is very clear cut.  I expect it won't matter much whether the line is coated or not, which can be a factor in FG reliability. The fact that the leader tag comes out of the knot at 90 degrees means that the tag will not directly engage a guide on the way in or out.  The guides are presented with no sharp edges of leader.  Finally, the fact that the leader is not as sharply kinked in the GT as in the Alberto may mean that the fragile FC's will not fail at that point.  All the bends of the leader in the GT are gentle compared to the Alberto.  Will try it on the water, looks like a good one.

Braid to mono leader a simple blood knot is reliable and strong. 

Braid to FC leader you will never resovle poor knot strength looking for the next panacea knot.

Tom

I’m guessing since you said it’s faster/easier to tie, you aren’t using the version with the Bimini but instead the figure eight knot? Haven’t tried it yet, but pretty sure Luke over at SaltStrong said ‘no-go,’ significantly weaker than FG,  when I was researching it last night. As long as it keeps working for you, I’d say keep using it and keep us posted.

Just tried the figure 8 version. It is smaller the the Alberto I usually tie. It is not easy on the eyes for us old timers, especially with 8 # and lighter leader. I’ll have to practice it a bunch more, until then it’ll be the Alberto.

Tom-

I hear you, I really do, but I have to try. I don't know if it matters to the fish or not but I can SEE a difference in the fall of a Ned or weightless senko when using FC as opposed to mono. My next experiment will be with copoly leaders. Most of my fishing is done in dirty water where straight braid works fine, but I spend at least 2 weeks a year on a clearer lake and leaders are easier than switching everything out.

 

MickD-

I'm interested to see if you are able to pass the GT just as easily as a Alberto through those 4's.

 

Team9nine-

This is what I was going from when I said it was stronger than a FG. This test was for mono and is why I was testing with floro. The FG is widely considered the strongest and that is why I'm asking for other people's experiences. 

If it works, great.  Most folks went to FG because of the size.  The GT does not solve that issue

1 hour ago, Lead Head said:

 

Team9nine-

This is what I was going from when I said it was stronger than a FG. This test was for mono and is why I was testing with floro. The FG is widely considered the strongest and that is why I'm asking for other people's experiences. 

Thanks for the link. Unfortunately, the way the gentleman ties the GT knot in the video does not appear to be the same as the way it was tied in the IGFA testing he references for the strongest knot tested. That testing used the Bimini twist double line braid, not the single line uni he shows. Not sure how much difference it makes. Be curious to see how yours and others on-the-water tests go. 

Very interesting. I knew there were two different versions and assumed the one he was demonstrating was the one used in the test. Well... you know what they say about assumptions. 

 

At this point I am happy with how the knot handles big hooksets. 2 trips, over 20 fish with setups where I was basically trying to fail the leader. It held up great. I'll stick with it until I find a reason not to. I'll keep this thread updated if I run into any problems and hope the other guys using it will do the same.

Actually there are thousands of ways to tie the FG, (not in the sense of different wrap diagrams, but variations in the process) so there will be much variation in test results.  Tied right, it's a real winner, obviously the smallest.  When I've gotten them right, I have had no problems with the FC breaking.  

 

Regarding size, the size is only important if using really small guides or really heavy leaders, like in salt.  Whatever the size of your knot, if it goes through the guides OK, it's small enough.  I've found, however, that how the tag end comes out and whether it is cut short enough has a lot to do with how the knot goes through the guides.  Obviously, the heavier the leader the more this influences passage of the knot, especially on reeling in.

 

I will report on the GT going through the Fuji size 4 KB's/KT's when I get experience.  Going tomorrow, but have my rigs all in the boat and under the cover so will not initially fish the GT.  Will use it if I retie.

Tried to tie the GT with 10 pound Suffix FC leader material today and couldn't get 10 pound braid through the openings in the figure 8.  Looks like a good knot for heavy leaders, but not for light leaders.  The heavier the leader the bigger the opening in the figure 8.  

Just tie this one in 15 seconds and send it! Been using it for years without an issue.