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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I’m a senor who like many, have lost some of the ability to manipulate his/her fingers to co-ordinate holding the braid around my pinky and wrapping the leader around it. So, as I have to do at times, I have found a couple of ways to hold the braid and maintain pressure on it. I feed the braid through the eyes on my rod and tie a large loop on the end. I then put the loop on part of the reel/rod, bend the rod (never straight down because you can break the tip off) until it looks like a bow and arrow. Now you tie the knot as shown and after the 16 wraps (pinching the knot) you cut the braid off about 6 inches below the knot and finish tying. When fishing on a party boat I simple tie about an eight or ten ounce weight to the braid and drop it though the pole holder next to my rod and then tie the knot. Hope this helps. I use to use a double cinch knot to connect the leader/shock line; the FG knot is much better!
Thanks for making time to post the helpful comment Ray!
One other thing I forgot to mention in my last post is I put a thin coat of Super Glue on the knot. This makes it smoother so it passes through the top eye easier and also provides extra protection for the first loop of braid on the knot. I feel this also makes the knot (and other knots I use) more secure. Stores sell it as Fishing knot glue, but I just buy super glue from a Dollar store (usually 2 tubes for a dollar). Any thoughts about this?
I don’t like using any glue because it poses a risk of giving off a negative scent.
While I’d love to use this knot. I ha e tried it several times , both off your video & the pdf. I guess I’m just too slow or something. Hasn’t worked out. And looked nothing like yours. Mine looked bunched, ugly and just sketchy ..so, I gotta figure out what I’m doing wrong
What lines are you using?
Small variation if you carry forceps is to wrap the braid around one of the jaws a couple of times and the clamp it to your shirt. A great way to get the tying times down below 60 seconds. I use it with ultra light leaders and lines while wading and it works well even in strong winds. I have not tried it with heavy lines so cannot vouch for the jaws grip holding up to a lot of pressure. Extra wraps of braid around the jaws should do though.
Thanks for posting the helpful tip!
If you use 40 lbs mono what knot is best to tie a hook
Depends on a couple variables:
1) What strength is your mainline?
2) Do you need the hook to be able to move around freely or can it be fixed in place?
I use this method for tying my shock leader to mainline. I have never had it hang up or come apart. I have only had to retie it when changing leader. I imagine it takes a beating casting heavy surf weights when it screams through the guides.
Hey Luke, thanks for this post. I use mono to fill up my reel spool under the braid. Do you consider this knot also adequate to link this filling mono to the braided line?
Greetings, Manuel
I find the half hitches are prone to undoing over time, what is the best way to prevent this and lock the knot off, use the Rizutto finish? I dont like using glue on the line. I would also love a method of finishing the knot that gets completely rid of the need for a protruding tag end so it doesnt catch weed, rod rings etc
That was best fg knot tutorial that I’ve seen. Thank you
Thanks so much for making time to post the nice comment Larry!
Thank you Luke,
This video makes it easier than I thought. Always appreciate the quality content.
Stay Safe
I’ve been trying to learn this knot for a while now. Your video is so much clearer to see than others I’ve seen. Thanks, I can finally tie an FG.
Thanks so much for making time to post the nice comment Charles!