FG Knot...?

I was watching a video of Bret Ehler showing how to tie the FG knot and I'll be honest, it is just too much trouble to tie for me. I wonder how did we ever catch fish before someone started splicing braid with fluorocarbon ? I'd rather use straight braid or floro or mono. I'm sure some of you can tie it with your eyes closed but after watching a pro tie it, it just ain't for me.

Yeah it looks pretty time consuming to me, especially on the water while bouncing around. Double uni seems easy enough to me, might not be as small; but it works.

I'll stick with the Alberto knot. Easy and more my speed. All I catch are dinks anyway

Yep. Alberto for leaders and Palomar for the business end. I haven’t found a reason for much else.

I never use a leader, just one more potential failure point.

The FG knot is a pretty slick knot (one of those that feels really satisfying when you tie it). I have gone to fishing almost exclusively braid (except for co-polymer for cranks) because I got sick of fluoro breaking on me (except when the water is really clear in the winter or early spring). When in really clear water and I feel like I need to use a fluoro leader on braid I use the Dodd knot instead of the FG. It is nearly as slick through the guides and a LOT easier to tie. Since I fish with my kids quite a bit, Dad ends up re-tieing a lot and the Dodd is the winner for that. Link to the YouTube video on it below:

YouTube link to Dodd knot video

Have tried the FG not but its a PITA. Went to double UNI. Saw G Man posted a pretty slick way to tie the FG this week, might give it another try.

I took the time to master the FG knot a few years ago.
It is the thinnest knot, and looks pretty when you tie it.
I never had a problem tying it on the water, even in the yak on a windy day.

The problem is, it's a long knot. The length makes it hang up in the guides more.
I switched to the Alberto and have been pleased.

James Biggs told me to use a long leader like 20'. That way you can break it off multiple times and if the line will fail it's usually close to the boat and with a long leader the knot is already in the spool. I don't see any downside to a long leader unless you don't want your line to sink or memory on a spinner. But I'll retie at home enough where that's not really an issue and I don't think I've ever had to retie on the water.

Alberto knot for me! Been using it for a few years. No issues. I’ve tried tying the FG and have done it at home but struggled in the boat. Alberto is easy, quick and strong.

Take a look at "lazy alberto"

learn to tie any of them here.


https://www.animatedknots.com/fishing-knots

I can’t imagine the pros tying the FG on the water when you can tie a crazy/improved Alberto in fifteen seconds.
My guess is that FG knot videos get clicks.

Just pretend you are using a carolina rig all the time I cannot prove it but i feel like braid with a leader has helped me catch a lot more fish than just braid or flouro.

I use the FG knot exclusively and have gotten pretty good at tying it although it is time consuming. I generally tie a 20-foot leader so I can get by breaking off a few baits before I have to re-tie the whole thing. The FG comes through your eyes and line guide so much easier that I think there is really no equal--and I have never had the connection knot fail. The main reason I have gone braid to leader is that it allows me to use super premium fluorocarbon and not break the bank. I use just 20 foot of Tatsu at a time rather than spool the whole reel or partially spool the reel.

I have built an apparatus that gives me a third "hand" and has made it a bunch easier. Keeping proper tension on the knot while it is forming is key, and it was hard for me to do that with one end of the braid in my teeth.

Agreed. It's a pain, but when tied correctly the FG is about as good as it gets.

I'm an old fart with a bad hand and can tie the FG in the boat. Not fast but tied. A guide I fish with some can tie it in the boat in a min. Here's how

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjzUb5QRKuk

I tie the FG knot but I will look at the Dodd knot

Too much trouble. One of my Tarpon stick buddies showed me this knot. Quick - maybe 10 seconds , strong, small and has never failed me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDxGy3Nld2g