Knot suggestions from braid to fluro leader.

[smlfishing]

I am looking for suggestion for a knot to use with power pro 80lb braid and seaguar 80lb leader material.  I usually make my leaders using crimps and tie them on using a swivel but I am looking for something easier on the eyelets if reeled up.  Since the 80lb fluro is hard to tie I saw some that the braid wrapped around the fluro but hoping for some suggestion that people have used that they trust. 

[Gator]

FG knot

[mwardncsu]

What are you using 80 lb fluorcarbon for? Is this for stripers on SML or other species elsewhere?

I agree with Gator on the FG knot for that application with the thickness of that flurocarbon.

For smaller diameter flurocarbon - (15-25), I'll use a double-uni knot to connect braid & leader just because I've not mastered the FG knot yet.

[smlfishing]

80lb is what we use for Muskie leaders never had them cut it and seems to have better action than wire. I looked the FG up on YouTube and seems to be what I am looking for and pretty easy to tie especially with the larger fluro. That double uni is what I use as well on the small stuff but could not get it to work on this. I appreciate the help and makes it easier to trust the knot knowing others have used it with success. Going to give it a try tying it tonight.

[archenemy]

Jan 10, 2017 15:01:38 GMT -5 smlfishing said:

80lb is what we use for Muskie leaders never had them cut it and seems to have better action than wire. I looked the FG up on YouTube and seems to be what I am looking for and pretty easy to tie especially with the larger fluro. That double uni is what I use as well on the small stuff but could not get it to work on this. I appreciate the help and makes it easier to trust the knot knowing others have used it with success. Going to give it a try tying it tonight.

I have been using the Alberto knot with 30lb flouro and 20lb power pro. IMO easier than the FG but slightly larger in diameter. I will say that the FG once tied is FG.

[ikMOON]

I use the FG knot quite a bit.  My applications involve smaller diameters, though, most often 30# braid to 20# flouro, rather than 80# braid to 80# flouro, as in the OP's question, though it should work the same and probably be easier to tie.   Anything heavier than 30# braid hung up on the bottom from a kayak might as well be an anchor. Lol.

This is the best video I've come across on a demonstration, it helped me more than others I've seen.

  

However, I have had to include two extra precautions to ensure that the knot is all it can be.  

(1) Right before I tie the last locking hitch to finish it off, I get a pair of gloves to protect my hands, wrap each end around a hand a couple times and seat the knot real good.  The reason for this is because, for the knot to work, (like a Chinese finger trap) it has to dig into the leader somewhat.  This needs to be confirmed before it's put to use.  If it doesn't seat correctly the whole thing can slide right off the leader.  I have found that this is more important with smaller lines especially when the diameters (not strengths) are closer in size.  When you pull both ends down good you should see the knot digging in.  If not, and it looks like the leader is slipping, pull on the knot, away from the main line, stretching the wraps, and give it another try.  Think of the Chinese finger trap again, it digs in when it stretches out, not when it's bunched up.  When it bunches up it actually releases.  

(2) After the knot is seated properly, the leader tag snipped off tight, and the final locking hitch tied, I apply a small amount of super glue (I know a knot locking glue would be better, but this has not failed me, yet) to the braid tag and the locking hitch.  I usually floss it against the edge of my work bench to get the excess glue off and work it into the hitch better.  I don't use much, less than a drop, and I don't even want it to get on the leader, only the last hitch.  This is just to secure the hitch because its braid, and braid doesn't like hitches.  After it's dried for a few minutes I clip the braid tag off.  The reason for this is because I've had a lot of trouble with the locking hitch, or any locking knot used to finish the FG off.  It has had a tendency of coming unraveled after a while, especially when casting with it repeatedly.  The strength of the FG knot is in the end furthest away from the main line and is rock solid as long as it's seated and the wraps stay locked at the other end.  The super glue is only for the purpose of keeping the knot buttoned up.  

The reason I like this knot so much is because it is the slenderest most low-profile knot I've come across.  It's also among the strongest knots in that it doesn't compromise your line's strength as others may.   The knot does take some concentration to execute, so I don't tie it in the boat.   If I were to get cut off above the FG (not often) I'd tie a uni to uni in its place for the time being.  I use this knot for casting, either on a lighter spinning outfit or on my surf setups, and for connecting braid to a top shot on my conventional setups.  I've never had this knot break on me.  It's come unraveled (before I started gluing the tag), but even then not enough to come undone before I noticed it.  I have had a uni-to-uni break on me several times, once a couple weeks ago.

Hope this helps.  

[Yam]

Once you tie the FG a few times, you quickly realize it's extremely simple. In fact, it's scary how simple it is. Seating is definetly a must before clipping the tag and finalizing with a overhand.

My favorite knot and then some when it comes to any line to line knots.

[Gator]

Good write up ikmoon. I have thought about using glue as well. Instead, after the tag end has been clipped I tie two more half hitches. This does 2 things. 1) it makes a smoother transition from the braid to the knot. 2) I think it keeps the knot tighter thus not having to use glue. One thing that I do as well is to tie a knot in the braid end, that way I can hold the line tight between my teeth.

Yam is right. It is super easy once you get the hang of it. I've gotten a ton of practice tying it for Junkee

[smlfishing]

I appreciate all the help and thanks for posting the video Ikmoon. That video showed wrapping the braid around the leader but I also saw some video that they wrapped the leader around the braid that looked easier. Does anyone suggest one way or the other?

[Gator]

I wrap the flouro around the braid. This is the video that used to learn the knot.


www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjzUb5QRKuk

[ikMOON]

That's a good video Gator. I think that would be an easier and faster way to tie it. I liked the video with the Australian as it helps see how the knot is composed, and how it works mechanically. I'd recommend to someone who's not tied it before to watch that one first and then learn the method in your Salt Strong vid. They have more on the FG too.

As for the glue, that was my attempt to fix a problem that may only relate to casting, where the knot is through the guides countless times in a day. If the knot is buried under 150 yds of top shot it wouldn't be needed.


Edit: I thought I'd embed these Salt Strong vids