Once yo get the feel for it its not that bad. Just have to have enough tension to keep the lines strait and do your over under wrap pattern. I have been moving away from line to leader lately through, point of failure and rod manufacturers insist on making small guides on everything.

On 1/21/2026 at 9:14 AM, Tackleholic said:

No issues with the hitches coming loose since I began using Knot Sense.

How flexible is Knot Sense? Does it sit on the spool well?

6 hours ago, Crow Horse said:

How flexible is Knot Sense? Does it sit on the spool well?

Adds a minor amount of stiffness; depends on how much is applied. I don't use any leaders long enough to sit on the spool.

Personally, no. After I investigated it, as good as it looks, I did not feel

Like in investing the time to learn or tie it. Just seems like too much work and I can tie the Albright very quickly and it has never failed me and can handle lines that differ greatly in diameter.

That said, the small knot formed by the FG knot is darn impressive in how small it is. Puts the other knots to shame.

Tie the braid to the real handle and wind tight, then tie your leader to it, it's that simple.

Yes. I found this way to do it but finished with a Rizzuto.

FG knot is a challenge out on the water, but I can tie it at home. I Usually use Alberto or GT knot.

I'm on the list for the FG knot... it's the thinnest and strongest braid to leader knot out there. I tie almost all of mine at home but I have tied some out on the water. It just takes longer out on the water.

I tied probably 15 or 20 before I really learned how to tie them well. Here's a few things I like to do that really help the knot stay put and keep from unraveling:

1. After I finish my wraps and make the first half hitch, I take my fingers and compress the wraps lengthwise as much as possible. This makes the knot shorter and it doesn't stretch out as much when I pull hard on it to set it.

2. Next, I cut the leader at a slight angle very close to the top of the knot. I then make sure my final half hitch positions itself directly over the cut end of the leader. Tug on it a little bit but not too hard. A lot of the time if you pull too hard, it slides off the end of leader. That's not good and it can cause it to unravel.

3. I use a TINY bit of super glue on the half hitches. Ever since I started doing this it's never unraveled on me.

It's one of my favorite knots. There's really only 4 knots I use regularly - the FG knot, improved clinch, palomar, and non-slip loop knot.

Oh, I can tie that bad boy very well. I just was surprised that wrong leader material can make it impossible to tie the FG knot. Ifbyour leader is not soft enough to allow the braid sink in the leader, youll not be able to tie FG. So make sure you have the right leader material. That was a million-dollar tip I just gave y'all for tying FG. Good luck, y'all.

I can tie one. It will not hold. Go back to straight mainline and call it a day.

2 hours ago, TNBankFishing said:

I can tie one. It will not hold. Go back to straight mainline and call it a day.

It will hold if tied correctly; smaller the leader diameter and slicker the braid, the more difficult it becomes. Takes practice and continual use. It is necessary to keep the braid very taught and pull each wrap tight; continue this when adding the half hitches, the more the better. A properly tied FG will not break at the knot because it is the strongest point of the line.

On 1/15/2026 at 11:24 AM, HawkeyeSmallie said:

You can do it.

I know this because I can.

Putting the line in my teeth was what got me over the hump. For me, it's WAY easier.

Get some old line and plop yourself down in the living room with a good YouTube video.

After an hour or so it's a piece of cake.

Same experience, same method. The braid must be kept very taught and each wrap pulled tight. No need for a tool; I lay the rod flat and immobilize the tip. If not tied regularly, it is very difficult to develop a "feel" for the procedure.

It's my favorite BTL knot I use. Sometimes I don't nail it the first try (& I can't figure out why) and can be frustrating when trying to tie one fast on the boat but it works once you get it.

18 hours ago, Tackleholic said:

It will hold if tied correctly; smaller the leader diameter and slicker the braid, the more difficult it becomes. Takes practice and continual use. It is necessary to keep the braid very taught and pull each wrap tight; continue this when adding the half hitches, the more the better. A properly tied FG will not break at the knot because it is the strongest point of the line.

Same experience, same method. The braid must be kept very taught and each wrap pulled tight. No need for a tool; I lay the rod flat and immobilize the tip. If not tied regularly, it is very difficult to develop a "feel" for the procedure.

I appreciate the positive reinforcement and tips, I just don’t mind not having a leader. I’m perfectly happy throwing straight flouro/braid/mono. If I thought it would make an enough of a difference in my bites I’d learn to use it.

Not to save my life. I tried to learn last winter using various sizes and kind of line never got the hang of it. So I stick to the alberto