Tackle Index
Knot

FG Knot

Braid main line to a mono or fluorocarbon leader.

Last reviewed 26 September 2026 · Editorial policy

At a glance

What this knot is for

Joins
Braid main line to a mono or fluorocarbon leader
Line types
Braid to mono or fluorocarbon leader. Not a knot for joining two mono lines.

Reach for it when

  • The slimmest, strongest common braid-to-leader join
  • Anglers casting through guides where a bulky knot costs distance or catches
Method

How to tie the fg knot

  1. 1Hold the leader taut, under light tension, along its length.
  2. 2Take the braid and wrap it over and under the taut leader in a series of tight figure-eight-style turns, alternating sides, for around 15–20 wraps, keeping each wrap snug against the last.
  3. 3Finish the wraps with several locking half hitches of the braid around the leader alone to stop the wraps slipping.
  4. 4Moisten and pull the leader firmly to bed the braid wraps down onto it.
  5. 5Tie a few more half hitches or a whip finish over the joint for security, then trim both tag ends close.
FG KnotDiagram: Tackle Index

Work on a flat surface with enough line in your hand to pull the knot down firmly, and check the wraps sit neatly before you trim anything away.

Why it works

  • Among the slimmest braid-to-leader connections available, so it runs through rod guides almost unnoticed
  • Very strong when tied correctly, often stronger than the leader's own knots

Where it lets you down

  • Genuinely fiddly — tension on the leader and even wraps matter more than in any other knot here, and it is commonly tied with an assist tool rather than freehand
  • There are several taught variations of the finishing hitches; this describes the widely used core wrap-and-lock method
  • Not worth the effort for casual or short sessions where a double uni will do
Shop

The tackle this knot ties

The knot itself costs nothing — it joins your line to the tackle you buy. This search shows the general category this knot is tied onto, never a named brand or model.

Shop fluorocarbon leader material
Alternatives

Knots that do a similar job

Alberto Knot →Double Uni Knot →
Used in

Fishing methods that use this knot

Spinning with Lures →Jig Fishing →Surf Casting →
Keep going

More knots worth learning

Improved Clinch Knot →Palomar Knot →Uni Knot →Double Uni Knot →Blood Knot →Surgeon's Knot →Surgeon's Loop →Figure-of-Eight Loop →
Check the rules where you fish
Some waters restrict tackle or methods — barbless hooks, lead sinkers, certain rigs and line types. Confirm the rules of the water you are fishing before you use any rig or knot.