FG Knot
The slim, high-strength braid-to-leader knot for anglers willing to practice before they need it.
The FG Knot is excellent. It is also not the knot to learn while rain is running down your sleeves. Full steps are queued for the next content pass.
How to tie it
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1
Pull about 18 inches of leader off the spool and hold it taut between two hands — anchor it to a rod tip, a buddy's finger, or the boat cleat.
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2
Lay the braid across the leader and start wrapping the braid around the leader in alternating directions: one wrap from above, one wrap from below, snugging each wrap before the next.
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3
Build 18 to 20 alternating wraps so the braid forms a tight finger-trap weave around the leader.
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4
Lock the wraps with a half-hitch around the leader using the braid tag, then a second half-hitch in the opposite direction.
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5
Trim the leader tag close to the wraps, then tie 3 to 4 more half-hitches with the braid tag around the braid standing line to finish.
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6
Wet the whole knot, pull the braid standing line and leader standing line slowly apart so the weave bites down on the leader, then trim the braid tag.
Products visible in the tutorial
These are the items the demonstrator uses on screen. Affiliate links where we have a match in our catalog.
When to use it
- Long-cast spinning setups where the knot has to pass through the guides every cast without slapping.
- Heaviest leaders to lightest braids — the FG handles bigger diameter jumps cleanly than an Alberto.
- Open-water and pier setups for steelhead and lakers where casting distance and slim profile both matter.
- Pre-tied at home or in the truck — not the knot to learn at the river in the rain.
- When you've broken off on a hookset with an Alberto or Albright one too many times and you're ready to invest the practice.
Common screw-ups
- Letting the leader go slack while wrapping — the braid needs constant tension on the leader or the wraps won't bite.
- Wrapping in the same direction every turn instead of alternating — the wraps roll off the leader the first time you load the rod.
- Skipping the locking half-hitches because the wraps feel snug — the wraps alone are not what holds; the hitches are what keep them from unwinding.
- Trimming the leader tag before the half-hitches are set, so there's nothing to seat against when you cinch.
Rigs that use this knot
Alternatives
The quick line-to-line knot for adding tippet or joining similar diameter mono and fluorocarbon.
A slim line-to-line knot for building leaders and joining similar diameter material.
A compact braid-to-mono or braid-to-fluoro connection for spinning setups.
What to tie it with
