How to Tie the FG Knot (Fastest Method & Free Cheat Sheet PDF)
- By: Luke Simonds
- on June 30, 2021
This post will show you the absolute fastest and easiest way to tie the “FG knot”, and we even have a free PDF guide for you to download too.
The FG knot is a relatively new braid to mono (or fluoro) knot that has proven to be stronger and thinner than all other braid to leader knots we’ve tested.
I have been a huge fan of the FG knot ever since it shocked me in my first braid to leader knot contest because it proved to be over 30% stronger than all of my prior favorite knots including:
- Double Uni
- Crazy Alberto
- Albright
- Bimini Twist with Bristol finish
And it also happens much thinner than all of the other braid to leader knots because the thicker leader line never doubles over like it does for traditional fishing knots.
The FG Knot Complaint
The most common complaint against the FG knot that I’ve heard is that it takes to long to tie…
And I’ll completely agree with that concern if it is being tied the traditional way by manually wrapping the braid around the mono.
However, there is a much faster and better way to tie the FG knot that allows it all to be completed in under 60 seconds (video proof below).
How To Tie The FG Knot [Quickly]
The absolute best and fastest way to tie the FG knot is to thread the leader onto the braid while the braid is under tension.
There are several ways to tie the FG with tension, and the first two versions shown below in this post are the fastest and easiest methods I’ve used so far: Teeth Tension & Pinky Tension.
Check out the videos below to see how to these methods work.
FG Knot: The Pinky Method
This pinky method has quickly become my favorite of all because it’s easy to do, and it doesn’t require holding the line in my teeth.
Free FG Knot Guide [PDF]
Click here to get a single-page cheat sheet PDF guide showing the core steps of the FG knot so you can always have it on hand if you need it… it’s 100% FREE!
FG Knot – Teeth Tension Method
Free FG Knot Guide [PDF]
And click here to see the results of all of our knot tests so you can make sure you’re using the best knot in every situation.
FG Knot Steps [Must Do All 7]
Here is a list describing the essential steps to tie the FG Knot:
Step 1: Wrap the line around your pinky or hold in your teeth
This will allow you to keep tension on the line while still having nine other fingers to tie the knot.
Step 2: Wrap the leader around the braid
Place the leader above the braid and then wrap it over and around the braid while keeping tension on the line.
After you’ve made a wrap over the braid, then make a wrap under the braid.
Keep alternating until you’ve made 16 wraps (I used to recommend 20-22, but 16 has worked very well for me).
After you’ve made 16 wraps, it should look like this:
Step 3: Tie two half-hitch knots to lock the coils in place
Hold the coils with your fingers to keep them in place and be sure that you’re getting both the leader and the mainline in these knots above the coils.
Step 4: Apply tension to the knot so that the braid digs into the leader
This knot is only effective if the braid digs into the leader, so once the coils are in place, wrap the braid around your hand a few times and pull on the knot to let it really sink in.
As you’re pulling on the lines, you should see that each of the coils are tightening down on the braid and staying evenly spaced out.
The first coil is the most important, so definitely be sure that that one has tightened up, otherwise you risk this knot coming undone, especially if you’re casting through guides.
Step 5: Cut the tag end of the leader off
You can cut the tag end off really close to the knot because once it’s locked in, it’s not going anywhere.
However, be sure that you cut the tag end off AFTER you’ve put tension on the knot.
When you put tension on the knot, the coils will typically slide up a bit, so you don’t want to cut the tag end off before that.
Step 6: Tie two more half-hitch knots
The purpose of this step is to create a smoother top of the knot so that the hard edge of the leader’s tag end doesn’t snag onto anything (floated debris, rod guides, etc.).
Step 7: Cut off the braid tag end and start fishing!
Free FG Knot Guide [PDF]
Click here to get a single page cheat sheet PDF guide showing these core steps of the FG knot so you can always have it on hand if you need it… it’s 100% FREE!
FG Knot Mistakes
If you follow the instructions listed out earlier in this post, you’ll be able to tie the FG knot like a pro.
However, I have noticed that there are three mistakes that commonly pop up that will cause this knot to fail.
To make sure you know what these mistakes are and how to avoid them, check out the video below.
Click here to see the best knots for every situation and download the Ultimate Knot Guide PDF
As long as you only use this knot when connecting braided line to stronger monofilament or fluorocarbon and don’t cast it through the guides, this knot will serve you well.
The FG Knot In Less Than 60 Seconds
As I mentioned above, the most common reason we’ve heard from those who watched the video above in YouTube was that it takes too long to tie.
But the tying was of course done slowly in order to explain the various steps.
So we thought it would be fun to make a video showing me tying the FG Knot without taking the time to walk through each step. And the result was an FG knot in less than 60 seconds… here is the video:
Note: this is done using the old way of putting tension on the line with your teeth… the way described above is even faster and easier!
Conclusion
Learning how to tie the FG knot in under 60 seconds is not difficult… it just requires knowing the quick method explained in this video.
And the most important part to remember is the tightening of the braid coils on the leader before cutting off the leader’s tag because that is what locks the coils in place for good.
Best of all, it will result in a knot that has tested out to be more than 20% stronger than many very popular knots for connecting a braided line to a mono/fluoro leader.
Note: The breaking test results change depending on line types used, so I highly recommend trying it out on your favorite gear and seeing if it has a higher breaking point than whichever knot you’re using to see if it’s worth the switch.
P.S. – If you think your angler friends or fishing networks would like to see this, please TAG them or SHARE this with them. It would mean a lot to me.
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when i first saw these videos my thought was what’s the struggle ? now i know… i’ve worked this knot now a few times – i think i may be trying to add too much tension with pinky/main line – though i technically make the FG knot, it does not appear streamlined
i will get it perfected eventually, just not yesterday 😀
Well you made it look easy enough 😂
Wow ultimate guide on how to tie fishing knot.. Lovely articles
Hey Luke thanks for updating how you tie the FG knot. FYI when tying at home I will use Bow String Wax to coat the knot and help it glide through the eyes better. So far I have never had the FG fail with 10 lbf braid to 20 lbf flouro. (I will be switching to mono after all my flouro is used up!)
As you have suggested previously, using a loop knot allows that knot to fail first if you get hung up on oysters/pilings/other. That way you may loose your jig; but keep most of your leader, and do not have to tie on a new one. Thanks again for all the great info and testing you are doing!
Would the FG knot still work if the braid is heavier than the leader fluorocarbon, but the leader still has a thicker diameter?
Yes, it’ll work. But just make sure to tighten it very well so to make sure the braid can dig into the leader enough to lock into place for good.
I’ve tried doing this knot probably 50 times and with leader line that is under 10-12 pounds it’s much much more difficult to keep the leader line “taught” during the coil wraps. I feel it is much easier if you have say 50-65 lb leader where it stays rigid. Every time you take the leader under the braid/main line it wants to create a “U” shape because of the tension. Do you have any ideas for how to fix this? I keep a lot of tension on the main line using the pinky method.
love the tutorial but I can’t get this knot. Ugly bunched-up-looking thing by the time I’m done. 10lb braid to 20lb mono. It’s not working easy like your video. I’m perplexed.
Is there a wt limit on the lines used does this knot work with 30 and 50 pound test also ?
If there is a limit on the line sizes for the FG knot, then I haven’t heard of it yet… some have mentioned targeting big tuna with 80+ lb braid/mono.
Thank you sir!
Luke, you didn’t mention anything about wetting the knot before tensioning it so I’m assuming you dont wet it?
Correct… I actually don’t use saliva before tightening any knots after doing this experiment: https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/saliva-cinch-down-fishing-knot/
Great videos! Very helpful.