I've been tryin to expand my knotting skills and I've been unhappy with both the blood knot and the Uni-Uni knot to tie my shock leader to the braid. I have had the interesting thing happen that my blood knot was strong that my 30 lb braid. That confused me a bit because I was losing my whole rig. I finnaly marked the braid with a knot and relaized I actually lost the rig on the braid about the knot.
But I am still interested in the benifits of the FG knot and have looked around at instructions and tutorials. I started with this one:
https://www.netknots.com/fishing_knots/fg-knot
Which looked promising, but when I tried to follow it, I realized it is just wrong in the diagram on panel 4. I looked at video and that was quite comical and fun, but not that helpful. Myfavorite is the blond haired ausie with bare feet. I was afaid that if he moved wrong, he would have accidently lynched himself :)
This one looked promising:
https://www.101knots.com/fg-knot.html
And I followed the video, and the video and the diagram doesn't agree! Best yet, I'm not sure from the diagram which is the braid and which is the leader.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmxcugsCBpo
this one, you can't see and knot while he is tieing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY8YFj8mGS0
This one is intereting but looks completely different than the others.
It is hard to fdollow any of these. Does anyone have a favorite tuorial for this?
Go to you tube and search for "modified FG knot". This is the one that I use and it works perfect casting and strength.
The FG knot is trendy now and probably very good. But for me, it's too complex to tie in a hurry white out fishing. I've relied exclusively on the RP knot for the last few years and have yet to have a failure, and that includes several large tuna using 80, 100 and 130# spectra with short 80 - 130# fluorocarbon top shots. I also use it to connect lighter 40 and 50# leaders to 65# spectra on my wahoo gear. My feeling is that there are lots of good knots that will just fine -- if they are tied correctly.
I use the FG knot when I pre-tie my top-shots at home. Then I use the RP knot if I need to re-tie on the boat. FG seems to cast better but it is a PIA on the water.
-Mike
I use the RP also, easy to tie and no failures so far.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJy6aTLO8GQ
I find this easy for me.
Out of all the ways I've tied the FG this is the easiest & best method I've found for myself.
The biggest mistake I see tying this knot is not cinching it down very tight prior to finishing it off with what ever method you desire.
Failure or success of this knot even when tied properly is based on properly tightening it to where the mono wraps change color... Jeff
https://youtu.be/qQmUN0L4F6c
Those first two sites with the diagrams, dunno what knot that is but it's not anything like what's generally considered to be an "FG" knot. The major benefit of the FG and PR knots, other than their strength, is that the leader is never doubled. This makes for an extremely low-volume knot that is very smooth through the guides.
I don't like the method of that Rad Reeling Fishing video. You need at least a little bit of load on the braid to make the wraps good. When I tie them on the water, I usually tie a figure 8 in the braid and then hold it in my teeth with the rod in a rod holder to provide the pull. Otherwise you can throw a quick and dirty loop in the braid (surgeons loop is fine) and put it around the handle of your reel... just makes it fiddly tieing close to your reel, or you end up with a huge tag end to cut off.
Quote from: mrbrklyn on July 28, 2019, 04:44:22 AM
skip the first 4 minutes, 37 seconds of the video...
Right !
The mono is doubled in the RP knot. Since the mono is the larger of the two lines, doubling it gives the knot more girth. More girth makes it more difficult to get through the guides.
I think the FG is the only knot where there but one mono diameter. This makes for a smaller girth. The small girth on the FG is it's beauty and the reason people go through so much trouble to tie one.
-steve
I'm with many in the above. When I am prepping gear at home (or on the ride out on a multi day) when I do not splice hollow core, the FG knot is my go to since as Steve points out - the leader is not doubled. But when you are in fish and in a hurry - the RP knot is fast, easy and very proven. One thing I do "knot" see mentioned above is when I am tying under "casual" conditions, I will use UV Glue - not because I think it makes the knot any stronger, but because I feel it smooths it out and helps prevent abrasion.
Quote from: Brewcrafter on July 28, 2019, 07:59:47 PM
..... One thing I do "knot" see mentioned above is when I am tying under "casual" conditions, I will use UV Glue - not because I think it makes the knot any stronger, but because I feel it smooths it out and helps prevent abrasion.
This is as I see it a necessity when & if using the FG with short leader that will be cast through the guides. Makes this connection last at least twice as long when casting... Jeff
I can't get my leader to out-last the knot. 20# PowerPro to 20# blue Seaguar
I would be afraid the glue would make the knot stiffer (less flexible) and more difficult to get through the tip-top on retrieve. The knot flies out of the guides fine, but sometimes there is a little hic-up getting back through the tip when the line is at a sharp angle to the rod.
-steve
Quote from: oc1 on July 28, 2019, 07:48:25 AM
I think the FG is the only knot where there but one mono diameter. This makes for a smaller girth. The small girth on the FG is it's beauty and the reason people go through so much trouble to tie one.
-steve
The PR knot (not to be confused with the RP!) is a single-mono knot. It's tied with a bobbin, and a much longer knot than the FG. It is arguably a few % stronger, and you can completely whip both the mono and braid tag ends for a very smooth knot... I'll tie it at home on the couch with a bobbin, but out on the sea I revert to the FG.
FG at home
Tony Pena on the boat if needed.
Quote from: boon on July 29, 2019, 02:15:56 AM
The PR knot (not to be confused with the RP!) is a single-mono knot.
Sorry Boon. I did have RP confused with PR. Never heard of the PR but it looks like something I would enjoy and am going to try it.
-steve
Very tricky knot to master with many subtle variations.
I'm very much still new to the PR. In light lines I still prefer the FG as the ultimate in smoothness through the guides.
To the OP...see if these help with the knot.
Basically, I do the wraps, make a single half hitch, tighten both main lines (not the tags)and then make a finishing knot. I only do a single half hitch and I really don't even need that. I could do the wraps, make a Rizzuto and then tighten...done. I'd rather have a strong finishing knot (like Rizzuto) rather than a series of half hitches...YMMV
1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQdVKXgLwIk
This method works for me, though I do a variation of it. After I complete the wraps, I then do a single half hitch. I then tighten both main lines (not the tags). My final step is to do a 7 turn (or more) Rizzuto finish knot. Tighten the Rizzuto and you're good to go.
2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOfQhzrob9U
This demo shows how I prefer to make the wraps, except I make a few wraps around only my pinky finger. Secondly, as stated above, upon completing the wraps, I only do a single half hitch. Thirdly, I then pull on both main lines (not tags) to tighten the knot. Lastly, I finish with my Rizzuto finishing knot. In this demo, he doesn't tighten the knot after completing the wraps, which IMHO, is a mistake.
3) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5PFJefx3J0
This is another method that works, especially for heavy mono/flouro. This demo also shows the Rizzuto finish.
4) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rjaj-LM_L0Y
Some folks prefer this method. I only show this method so you can see the Rizzuto finish better. He goes right into the Rizzuto finishing knot after doing the wraps...he doesn't do a half hitch in between like I do. He then tightens the knot after making the wraps and Rizzuto.
His Rizzuto finish is nice, but I don't like his alternating half hitches on the transition section. If you tie alternating half hitches (one over then one under) each hitch will tend to loosen the one that was tied before it. If you tie the half hitches all in the same direction then each hitch will tend to tighten the one that came before it as they spiral around the mono.
I don't like the overhand knot at the very end either. That overhand knot will never be snug against the Rizzuto and will make an extra little bump. Having the tag end fray is OK with me as it makes the overall profile smoother.
-steve
Steve, I agree with everything you posted above. I've never heard a good explanation for alternating half hitches. I don't believe there is one.
I claim to be no expert at knots. I do earn most of my income working high up from towers too trees & my life at times is dependent on using & properly tying the right knot... Jeff
The FG has been fantastic for me since I saw it on here. Super low profile and casts like a dream. I was simply finishing it with several half hitches and it held up just fine, but the half hitches would inevitably come untied. The FG still held just fine though. Watching one of the videos above, I FINALLY figured out how to do the Rizutto finish. I think it will be a smoother transition for when I'm cranking in a fish.
I believe the steps as shown are correct. It is difficult to see but step 5 goes on the opposite side of the braid therefore it does not undo step 4. Again step 5 and 7 go on opposite sides of the braid so they are not identical. The problem I have is with the way they show the weave. Either this is a different variation of the FG then most of us use or they are showing the weave incorrectly.
If you study the knot and animation closely you will notice that the mono is on the outside wrapping around 2 separate strands of braid as they make their weaves before finishing the knot. But if you look at the examples of the FG that are posted throughout this thread the braid is weaved around the mono and is on the outside of the knot.
Quote from: mrbrklyn on September 07, 2019, 03:24:17 PM
https://www.netknots.com/fishing_knots/fg-knot
Can someone confirm that this diagram and animation is essentially incorrect. Step 4 to Step 5 seems to just undo step 4. Step 5 and seven seem to be identical.
I'm pretty certain that's not even an FG knot.
Quote from: boon on September 08, 2019, 03:37:51 AM
Quote from: mrbrklyn on September 07, 2019, 03:24:17 PM
https://www.netknots.com/fishing_knots/fg-knot
Can someone confirm that this diagram and animation is essentially incorrect. Step 4 to Step 5 seems to just undo step 4. Step 5 and seven seem to be identical.
I'm pretty certain that's not even an FG knot.
Actually it is an FG, though it's poorly shown. Look at this video (go to 40 second mark)
:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOfQhzrob9U
I prefer this method though I do a few things differently. See my explanations in my prior post - #18.
There are several ways to make this knot. It's possible to wrap the mono/flouro around the braid (like above video) OR wrap the braid around the mono/flouro...see videos in my prior post.
If the mono/floro is pulled really tight as the wraps are laid down, the braid will sit on the outside. If the braid is pulled really tight as the wraps are laid down, the mono/floro will sit on the outside.
He has it all screwed up in the diagram.
-steve
All the FG knots I have ever seen tied with braid and mono/Fluoro have had the braid outside biting into the mono but I think it must be a variation on the FG because I found another animation tied the same way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzPZOcpdzag
There are so many variations on how to tie the FG I would find one that is easier to understand.
I don't tie mine this way but it is one of the easiest to understand and tie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQmUN0L4F6c
Interesting videos, thanks, the animation one does not look like an FG at all though? I still hate it and have now completely stopped tying it ::) ;D