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.
But 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 Tutorial [Teeth Tension]
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!
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.
Option 2 – The Pinky Method
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!
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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really like the information on your site
Thanks Jerry!
One question…..why do you choose to use knots and not use swivels or other connecting hardware that would make it faster to change terminal tackle?
Less is more. The more stuff in the water that fish can see, smell or hear that is unnatural will affect the bite. Learned this the hard way. The insider courses have helped me understand. The courses online talk about this jewelry we add because someone sells it. The fish won’t buy most of it most of the time. Peace and tight lines.
Luke, would it be okay to use the FG knot for connecting 20# braid to 20# leader? I’d like the ability to add the Dirty Deeks heavier leader tip vs going directly from the 20# braid to 30# leader with the FG knot.
Yes, I just wouldn’t cast it through guides much at all to make sure the coils don’t get compromised.
I love this demo!
I have watched countless tutorials expressing how easy this knot is yet I still couldn’t follow them.
This has made it so simple as you can see exactly how to do it!
I have never felt this excited about trying a new knot!
I have stuck with the double uni knot for so long, but that will most likely now become a thing of the past! 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing.
P.S I am from Australia 🙂
Regards Andrew
Thanks for making time to post the nice comment Andrew! Glad to see that you enjoyed the FG knot lesson.
Great video..thank u.
I am using-30lb power pro to-30lb Ande leader and tying the FG Knot.
2 ques.
1..are you normally casting the knot through the rod guides?
2..what length leader are you normally using?
Thanks Tom
No, I do not cast the knot through guides very often because that can compromise the knot.
I normally use a 20 to 26 inch leader… here’s a lesson on leader length: https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/leader-line-length/
I’m fishing braid for the first time. 15# braid to 30# mono leader.My first leader it tied on was 5′ in length attaching lures via th no slip loop knot. By the end of the day was nearly out of leader. I’ be since learned to be a bit more conservative in tying the no slip loop knot. My question is,
is there a problem with longer leaders, say 7-10 feet in length?
I don’t recommend using long leaders like that because it’s best to not cast the knots through your guides. Here’s a lesson on leader length: https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/leader-line-length/
I’m a crappie fisherman what knot would you recommend for tying 30lb braid to 8lb floor?
A double uni will work just fine for crappie. May I ask why you’re using 30 lb braid for them?
Request for Clarification. I some of the SStrong videos, the author is using leader material that has a greater pound test than the main line. For example, 40-lb main line with 50-lb mono.
1) Isn’t there a risk for tearing the main line if snagged on a rock, etc., or do you assume the knot will break before the main line?
2) I have 30-lb braid and I was planning on using a 20-lb or 30-lb fluro leader. Is this combo O.K. for FG Knot, with 15 to 20 coils?
Great questions Howard! The breaks due to tension load will be at a knot (not the line) 99% of the time unless the line is compromised, so there is not a risk of a random part of the mainline breaking when using a stronger leader material compared to the mainline.
If you’re using 30 lb braid to a 20 lb leader, I recommend using the Crazy Alberto knot instead of the FG because the FG may be at risk of slipping with those lines.
Thx for your reply.
Hi Luke, I have been able to follow your video and instructions and have been able to tie the FG KNOT with success Twice. Since then, I have the wraps going up on the line end I am using to wrap around the braid, and I have had the loops just pile up on each other. If I tie the end that You would normally put in the mouth to an arm chair, then, for some reason, I’m able to tie a perfectly good FG KNOT. What am I doing wrong since I can’t figure it out as to what I am doing that is not working and following your video. But, I did it twice! HELP!!
What lines are you using?
can I use the FG knot to tie 20lb braid to 15lb floro leader ?
I wouldn’t use the FG knot for those lines because it’s best suited for protecting a weaker braid against a stronger leader. The Crazy Alberto knot would be a better choice for those lines.