I tie it at home. Improved albright on the water.

I've seen @Fried Lemons tie a FG in the cold in about 20 seconds.

I watched 1 video on the fg knot about 12 years ago and the guy had his shoes off and the line in his mouth. I was like…nope. Never even tired to tie it.

I can now. But for the longest the the F in FG stood for….

Mine is killer now.

I've tried tying at home at the work bench, so-so at best.

My rule of thumb is I have to be able to tie a knot on my kayak, in the wind and current.

Alberto is my braid to leader knot, so far it's worked out for me.

I'd rather knot have to do it on the kayak, but have when needed to.

Like many here, eyes ain't what they used to be, well like other things too

Can you tie an FG Knot?

Yes.

Do I use it ?

No.

Compared to a few other connection knots,

it's a giant PIA to tie, and there's no upside IMO.

Been using a double uni-knot as my connection knot of choice

quite effectively since Spiderwire & Fireline first gained mainstream popularity

in the late 1990's.

#30 years

If it ain't broke, I don't fix it.

(or complicate it).

YMMV

A-Jay

I tried many methods and was about ready to give up until I ran across a Youtube video from Lost Horizon Fishing. He made it look so easy I had to try it and now I'm hooked. I did learn a different way to finish it off called the Rizzuto finish. Haven't had one fail me yet. JMHO.

Not really.

I tried a bunch of different videos and had the knot assist tool (sold it) but this video from Swindle has been very promising for me. I've been tying one every day using this technique and they don't slip or break. The real test will come in a couple months when I'm on the water. I'm optimistic.

I’ve done it on the water a bunch of times using my foot to hold the leader line in tension and wrapping the braid around my left hand.

I’m with jitterbug. If I need to contort my body or buy a special tool just to tie a knot- count me out. I use a small barrel swivel for my d/s rig or senko/fluke rod.

6 hours ago, Jig Man said:

Uni to uni, Albright, Alberto and several others mostly broke at the knot. I got tired of this and started on the fg. As I looked around and watched videos, I realized that I needed the tool. It helped a bunch. As I tied them I kept needing another tool for cutting etc so I made myself a kit. I’ve never had an fg knot fail.

I'm with @Jig Man on this. I watched the videos and knew immediately that I wouldn't be able to tie it without the Knot Assist 2.0. I spent an entire off season practicing it to develop muscle memory. I carry the tool in my tackle bag and have another one I keep with my tackle tools at home. The FG knot has never failed me but if I had to retie it would not be a problem at all while in my yak.

I’ve looked at detailed step by steps and watched videos and my head spun so fast trying to figure it out.

Double uni for this guy.

Crow Horse I carried my kit until I figured out that it never broke at the knot. Then I left it at home.

I was using 15# braid to 10 and 12# leaders.

Never tried to tie the FG knot and reading through this thread is confirmation that I made the right choice 😁.

Only leader knot I've ever used is the Alberto and 99% of break-offs is at the hook leaving behind usable leader.

13 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

I was using 15# braid to 10 and 12# leaders.

I'm using 25'-30' 10# mono to 10# braid.

Yes for me. It doesn't fail and I prefer long leaders that means my knots are reeled into the reel. It is the trickiest knot I tie, but with practice it has become a non issue a vast vast majority of the time. The alberto was also fool proof for me in terms of strength, but didn't play nice with reeling it in. When in a jam I've tied braid to braid with a blood knot to get through the day before I respool.

scott

I can, but I don't do it very well, so I choose not to 😁

10 hours ago, Junger said:

I've seen @Fried Lemons tie a FG in the cold in about 20 seconds.

@Fried Lemons is a better man than I am.

I had a few failures with the Alberto knot and so made up my mind to tie the FG knot. I found that you need a way to have consistent tension on the braided line. So I got some help from gravity. I use a smaller size spring clamp from the hardware store clamped to the tag end of the braid. I put my rod in a rod holder behind my kayak seat and adjusted the clamp so it dangles a foot or so below my chin. That puts the line at face level which helps with bad eyes. I found it easier to tie the FG knot with the line come down over my back as well. I hope this helps.

2 minutes ago, BassinBrett said:

I had a few failures with the Alberto knot and so made up my mind to tie the FG knot. I found that you need a way to have consistent tension on the braided line. So I got some help from gravity. I use a smaller size spring clamp from the hardware store clamped to the tag end of the braid. I put my rod in a rod holder behind my kayak seat and adjusted the clamp so it dangles a foot or so below my chin. That puts the line at face level which helps with bad eyes. I found it easier to tie the FG knot with the line come down over my back as well. I hope this helps.

I have a similarly garage inspired system for that very same reason. It's a chunk of steel that weighs a metric crapton that I set on top of my leader spool so it doesn't move.

After getting progressive lenses, now I can tie an FG-with the tool. I do tie them all at home, where being stationary and having good light helps.

Can not tie it. Like others, I have watched video after video after video. Finally gave up and I will just stay with my Alberto knot. Really don't know why I wanted to tie it, the Alberto is easy and fast and works!!!

Why?

There are too many knots just as strong, less confusing and easier to tie.

Waste of time for bass fishing, I believe.

Several years of frustration and failures, finally improvised a method that works for me. I lay the rod flat on my 8 foot billiard table and weight the tip down with a box of lures. Sitting on a bar stool with the reel end about 1 foot away, I tie a small knot in the braid and put it between my teeth. Now I am able to keep constant pressure on the braid and tie the knot right in front of my nose. My line no longer breaks at the knot and that little bump when it passes through the tip guide is eliminated. Like I said, it works for me.

Nope. Fat fingers and old eyes make this a task I cannot complete. I use the old trusty double uni for line to leader connections.

This was how I was taught. I struggle to keep tension with my pinky finger causing the end to be a little loose. I have been using the Carrot knot instead. I can tie it on the water pretty easily.

Can do it at home in a controlled environment where I can take my time.

Can't do it out in the boat, exposed to the elements, rocking in the boat. I use the Alberto in that situation.