FG knot

[ridgecommander]

The other knot thread got me thinking. I am getting ready to head down to the surf for a week this summer with my heavy gear and try for sharks again. Been looking hard at the FG knot to tie the heavy mono to the braid main line. Heavy mono is hard to tie certain knots with and my rig utilizes a slip sinker so that knot has to be able to slide through both the rod guides and the sinker slide. The FG is unique in that it is not a true knot utilizes a chinese finger pinch method to hold the main line to the leader. I have reservations about that but guys that tie heavy mono to braid swear by it. It is basically the lowest profile knot there is for this application and is supposedly strong if tied right.

Anybody have any experience with the FG knot?

[davet]

No. When I need an unbreakable knot I use my clinch knot tool.

[Loggy]

   Been about 10 years since I switched from braid to the newer thin diameter/low stretch copolymer line. Back when using braid I think it was a GT knot to tie mono to braid if I remember  correctly. Didn’t like braid due to shock to equipment plus rod eyelet wear. I know many say it’s doesn’t wear eyelets or reel line rollers but wasn’t my experience. IMO…..today’s advanced  copolymers are the way to go least for my type fishing. 

[ridgecommander]

Apr 11, 2024 9:38:11 GMT -5 Loggy said:

Back when using braid I think it was a GT knot to tie mono to braid if I remember  correctly.

I tried the GT. Pretty tough to cinch down with #150 mono and too large to slide through the slip sinker slide.

[Loggy]

WOW 150LB mono!! Could use that for anchor rope!!

[ridgecommander]

Apr 11, 2024 12:59:48 GMT -5 Loggy said:

WOW 150LB mono!! Could use that for anchor rope!!

Heavy mono is pretty much essential as a shock leader and due to the very abrasive shark skin as the line will lay against their sides during the fight. Many guys run 200-300 mono in the surf but I can't get my head around using something that heavy for where I fish. The sharks do not run that big in casting distance.

[Loggy]

If Muab still reads in here maybe he may have some input as I know he & his Son have done some surf sharkin in Cape May in the past??

I'm almost all inshore in backwater bays etc where 17 lb line max is plenty. I do a lil surf for Stripers & Red Drum but they rarely exceed 25 lbs so 25-30 lb line is plenty. We do pick-up some small sand(dogfish) sharks in the 24"-26" range but nothing too big. They are fun to catch on light tackle.

[rusty]

I don't fish braid, but this guy makes it look pretty easy.