While the FG Knot appears to be best for joining braid mainline to leaders - you need to have 3 to 4 hands to tie the darn thing ! ... *Anyone have a particular way of tying the FG knot (i.e. easy learning video) that makes tying the FG knot easier with two hands ? ... Thanks in advance !

This one works for me.

 

 

Here’s the video I used to learn it: 

 

 

The biggest key (for me) is cinching the knot down hard after you tie the half hitches to secure the wraps. I typically put on gloves and wrap both lines around my hands and PULL. You’ll see the knot take on an almost translucent color as the braid digs into the leader. If you do that, then tie the four or five half hitches as recommended, I’ve found the knot stays locked really well. Hope this helps!! 

 

I tie hundreds of FG knots every year.  I insist my deck hands tie an FG Knot.  Each person I have work for me has a different way of holding the line.  Foot, teeth etc.  I use a method that I don't have to hold the line tight while making the wraps.  I have convinced one deck hand to use my way, the others still like holding the line with their teeth.  As others have stated, the key no matter how you hold the line is before making the finishing half hitches , you have to cinch extremely tight. Many different ways to finish the knot, half hitches, whip finish etc.  All work equally well.

     I use the Alberto for all my braid to leader connections while bass fishing.  I don't see the need for an FG with lighter line.  I used the Uni to Uni for years, and consider it a very good knot, but now prefer the Alberto. Just as quick and easy to tie, but slimmer, and slightly stronger.  

19 hours ago, king fisher said:

I tie hundreds of FG knots every year.  I insist my deck hands tie an FG Knot.  Each person I have work for me has a different way of holding the line.  Foot, teeth etc.  I use a method that I don't have to hold the line tight while making the wraps.  I have convinced one deck hand to use my way, the others still like holding the line with their teeth.  As others have stated, the key no matter how you hold the line is before making the finishing half hitches , you have to cinch extremely tight. Many different ways to finish the knot, half hitches, whip finish etc.  All work equally well.

     I use the Alberto for all my braid to leader connections while bass fishing.  I don't see the need for an FG with lighter line.  I used the Uni to Uni for years, and consider it a very good knot, but now prefer the Alberto. Just as quick and easy to tie, but slimmer, and slightly stronger.  

*Good comments - you are either guiding or commercial fishing in Mexico  , so  it sounds like so you should know knots well ... I fish spinning set ups for Bass with braid mainline from #8 lb. to #15 lb. + FC , Co-Poly or Mono leaders of between #6 lb. to #10 lb. My bait Cast set ups use braid mainline from #30 to #50 lb. + FC , Co Poly or Mono leaders from #12 lb. to #20 lb. so you tell me : Does any braid + leader set up I describe above appear to be better if I incorporated the FC Knot versus tying braid + leader with the Alberto Knot (or even the Double Uni Knot) ?

On 9/20/2020 at 9:01 AM, ChrisD46 said:

*Good comments - you are either guiding or commercial fishing in Mexico  , so  it sounds like so you should know knots well ... I fish spinning set ups for Bass with braid mainline from #8 lb. to #15 lb. + FC , Co-Poly or Mono leaders of between #6 lb. to #10 lb. My bait Cast set ups use braid mainline from #30 to #50 lb. + FC , Co Poly or Mono leaders from #12 lb. to #20 lb. so you tell me : Does any braid + leader set up I describe above appear to be better if I incorporated the FC Knot versus tying braid + leader with the Alberto Knot (or even the Double Uni Knot) ?

I prefer An Alberto for braid to leader for the lbs. test you are using.  Double Uni works well too.  FG works great if you don't mind tying them.  I like the advantages of FG when using leaders 30 pound and up.  It is hard but not impossible to get the braid to cinch correctly when the braid, and leader are close to the same diameter with the FG.  Very easy to get the knot to tighten properly when the leader is significantly larger diameter than the braid.  Not a problem with the Alberto, Double Uni, or blood knot.

This is another good way.

 

 

Hold the end of the braid in your mouth with your teeth.  Lean the rod with the braid back away from you to make the braided line tight.  If need be, rest your foot or leg on it or something, but be careful not to apply too much pressure.  You don't want to break your rod.  It doesn't need to be super tight.  You're just trying to take the slack out of it.  

 

Next, hold the leader line in your hands and tie it at about whatever distance is easiest for you to focus at.  Tie the leader on with your dominant hand and use your off hand to hold the already tied portion together by pinching it with your fingers.  That helps to keep it tight as you tie it.  As you move along the knot, you'll want to reposition your pinch.  

 

That's the basic mechanics of how I do it.  It's pretty similar to how the guy does it in GatorB's video.  I've tried a bunch of different methods, and this one was the easiest for me to learn and produces the most reliable knots.  The most common reason an FG comes undone is because you didn't cinch it down tight enough.  By using this method, you tie it tighter, so cinching it down is easier.  Also, it helps to wet the knot, and cinch it periodically while you're tying it.  Maybe not a full strength cinch like what you'll do near the end, but a decent tug to keep it tight as you go.  

IMO it is way easier to learn the knot and get it dressed well if you attach the braid to a buttonhole on your shirt or a belt loop. 

 

The advice on cinching the half hitches tight is really good. 

 

One thing I learned by trial and error is if the braid isn't biting into the leader, instead of a steady pull try a pop pop pop. It'll get the cinching process started and you and pull normally from there. 

 

To keep tension on the braid, for me it is easiest to tie a simple surgeons knot in the end of the braid, loop it over the butt of the rod and sit on the rod butt while pulling the braid up like a bow string.  When ready to tie the half hitches, just cut the braid at the surgeons knot.  There's a you tube that shows this.  Can't remember who's.

On 9/22/2020 at 11:46 AM, Bankc said:

The most common reason an FG comes undone is because you didn't cinch it down tight enough.

Always for me, the problem is the half hitches coming loose after travelling through the guides many times.  Rissoti(sp?) finish helps but is not a cure.  Won't use super glue on the boat.  Can't fish with my fingers stuck together lol.  Going to try quick dry nail polish.