NJ Saltwater Fisherman Forums

NJ Saltwater Fishing Reports and Information => Tips, Tricks and Things to Consider => Topic started by: Bucktail on September 25, 2012, 12:32:50 AM

Title: A Better Connection: The New (to me) FG Knot
Post by: Bucktail on September 25, 2012, 12:32:50 AM
Like many of you I'm always looking for a better way.  I recently just learned to tie a better knot for connecting braided line to fluorocarbon or monofilament.  So, I thought I'd share it with you.

For some of you this knot might be old news.  And for those folks I would welcome any comments on your experiences you have had with it.  For those to which it may be new as well, read on. t^

Why is it better?  The FG knot (aka GT knot or Sebile knot) is designed for big, hard fighting fish, such as large pelagics.  It is thinner, stronger, smoother and flies through the guides easier than other braid to fluoro knots, such as the Uni to Uni or the Red Philips knot.

It's a little more complicated to tie.  In fact it took me a little while to find instructions on how to tie it that my little pea brain could understand. ;D  I finally found it in the form of a terrific YouTube video, which I've posted here.

After making the connection, I tied on a topwater plug and took it over to the bay beach to give it a try.  

The results?  After several casts I can say, without a doubt, that this is the smoothest connection I've ever used.  The knot (which was positioned just above the reel prior to the cast on a 10' leader) flew through the tiny, Fuji LC guides on my Shimano Terez rod with ease.  In fact, not only did I never once feel the knot hang up in the guides, I never felt the knot go through the guides at all!

I look forward to hopefully having this knot tested on a big tuna in the very near future.  And for those of you who have read through all of this and are wondering how somebody can get so excited over something so seemingly boring as a knot, what can I say?  I'm nuts! nts ;D

The pics below the video are of the knot I tested today.  Click to enlarge for more detail.

[youtube=640,390]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R3_znSAPz8[/youtube]
Title: Re: A Better Connection: The New (to me) FG Knot
Post by: Hotrod on September 25, 2012, 06:47:23 AM
 t^
Title: Re: A Better Connection: The New (to me) FG Knot
Post by: ChrisL on September 25, 2012, 07:53:47 AM
 t^
I'll definitely be giving that a try.  I've never had any luck with braid to mono connections for casting.   As a result I use a swivel to connect my leaders.  It would be great to have a smooth direct leader connection. 
Thanks for sharing Bob. 
Title: Re: A Better Connection: The New (to me) FG Knot
Post by: fluke - u on September 25, 2012, 09:08:25 AM
 t^
Title: Re: A Better Connection: The New (to me) FG Knot
Post by: Scott G. on September 25, 2012, 09:59:49 AM
 t^ Thanks Bob  t^
Title: Re: A Better Connection: The New (to me) FG Knot
Post by: IrishAyes on September 25, 2012, 11:08:04 AM
Looks easy enough to learn and it should go thru the eyes of the rod smoothly. Thanks for the video Bob.  t^
Title: Re: A Better Connection: The New (to me) FG Knot
Post by: Kenny on September 25, 2012, 01:25:55 PM
 t^
Title: Re: A Better Connection: The New (to me) FG Knot
Post by: Mr Limpett on September 25, 2012, 01:32:52 PM
t^
I'll definitely be giving that a try.  I've never had any luck with braid to mono connections for casting.   As a result I use a swivel to connect my leaders.  It would be great to have a smooth direct leader connection. 
Thanks for sharing Bob. 

Right, I use a swivel too and the problem is that sometimes I want to reel it through the first guide, especially when I'm bringing a fish in the boat. I'll try this too.

What is the black glue he has in the pictures, what "knot glue" was he talking about?
Title: Re: A Better Connection: The New (to me) FG Knot
Post by: DJ76 on September 25, 2012, 04:50:32 PM
i have some rods i use for freshwater that I use a uni-uni for my braid to fluoro.  but like you said i can't cast the knot through the guides with ease.  this seems like it will just glide through.  going to have to give this a try t^
Title: Re: A Better Connection: The New (to me) FG Knot
Post by: ped579 on September 25, 2012, 05:12:26 PM
I have a very similar knot on one of my setups and I have to say this method is a lot easier to tie.  With a little bit of practice it should take no time putting this knot together.

I have gotten spoiled with the knot just sliding through the guides with no snagging what so ever.  I also like the fact that he used Knot Sense as that stuff is extremely flexible.
Title: Re: A Better Connection: The New (to me) FG Knot
Post by: Mr Limpett on September 25, 2012, 05:37:56 PM
Ah!

http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=743939&WT.z_mc_id1=43000000110761396&WT.srch=1&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=google|fly_Fly+Lines+%2F+Backing_Line+Accessories|USA&rid=20&pcrid=12987257658
Title: Re: A Better Connection: The New (to me) FG Knot
Post by: ped579 on September 25, 2012, 06:01:22 PM
I have used this product for a number of years now on my teasers and I found it to be great.  I have the small UV light and it works fine plus if you leave the knot in the direct sun the product will harden even more.
Title: Re: A Better Connection: The New (to me) FG Knot
Post by: Bucktail on September 25, 2012, 06:07:56 PM
I may have to try that out sometime.  I've always used just regular old crazy glue on my knots and haven't had any problems.
Title: Re: A Better Connection: The New (to me) FG Knot
Post by: ped579 on September 25, 2012, 06:35:26 PM
The stuff is not cheap but it does go a long way.  I have to warn you that the small light is adequate but it does suck up some batteries which I buy on e-bay.  It takes the LR-41 battery and it uses 4 of them.