Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
March 29, 2024, 08:38:54 AM

Login with username, password and session length

Recent Topics

[Today at 08:15:24 AM]

[Today at 08:08:08 AM]

[Today at 07:42:13 AM]

[March 28, 2024, 11:34:08 PM]

[March 28, 2024, 09:44:18 PM]

[March 28, 2024, 09:12:36 PM]

[March 27, 2024, 07:25:42 PM]

[March 27, 2024, 07:05:39 PM]

[March 27, 2024, 12:35:34 PM]

[March 27, 2024, 11:18:23 AM]

[March 26, 2024, 07:45:07 PM]

Support NCKA

Support the site by making a donation.

Topic: Main to topshot knot  (Read 3380 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

chopper

  • Salmon
  • ***
  • View Profile
  • Location: Ess Eff
  • Date Registered: Nov 2012
  • Posts: 977
FG is the slimmest knot that I've tried and find that it goes through the guides very easily. To make it even smoother do a few extra half hitches to cover up the clipped end of the leader on up to running line.

FWIW - i tie it holding the main line taut with my teeth and then weaving the end of the top shot onto it back and forth. There's a video out there of this technique.

Cheers,
Brad


masterandahound

  • Sea Lion
  • ****
  • View Profile
  • Location: Napa, CA
  • Date Registered: Mar 2014
  • Posts: 2107
I really like how slim and neat the FG knot is, and it flies through the guides with no issues. However, its the only braid to topshot knot that I've had fail on me multiple times. Could be operator error and maybe I just need to work on my knot technique though.
Ocean Kayak Prowler Big Game


Fish-n-Fly

  • Sand Dab
  • **
  • View Profile
  • Location: Pacifica
  • Date Registered: Oct 2012
  • Posts: 21
Huge fan of the FG knot, but I don’t think a lot of people realize you need to cinch the knot firmly before clipping the tag off the leader and finishing the half hitches.
As you cinch this knot it seems to slip a little before it really bites. If you snip the tag end off the leader and then cinch, the knot will fail nearly every time.

I’ve tried tying this knot with and without tension many different ways. I prefer both lines tensioned but hate the idea of using teeth and fishing rods...
I put the spool of leader line under my left thigh, with just enough line coming off the spool and over the outside of my leg so that it reaches just past my belly button. I have the main line in my right hand and use the technique this dude shows in this vid:



Fish-n-Fly

  • Sand Dab
  • **
  • View Profile
  • Location: Pacifica
  • Date Registered: Oct 2012
  • Posts: 21
I should point out that if you finish your knot like the guy in the video it will fail most of the time.

I like how he tensions the main line to tie the knot, but it is imperative that the knot is cinched before you clip the leader tag end.
After I do my 20-30 wraps of main line(10-15 each side), I like to tie seven half hitches and then cinch aggressively. After cinching, I will clip the leader tag end and then tie a few more half hitches to make sure the leader tag is covered...

I have to use the Daichi finger saver things to cinch my braided line properly.


Fish-n-Fly

  • Sand Dab
  • **
  • View Profile
  • Location: Pacifica
  • Date Registered: Oct 2012
  • Posts: 21
This guy’s video illustrates what I’m trying to say about cinching the knot:


tehpenguins

  • Sea Lion
  • ****
  • View Profile
  • Location: Santa Clara
  • Date Registered: Mar 2019
  • Posts: 1163
- Shane

2015 Papaya Hobie Revolution 13
2014 Hibiscus Revolution 13
2011 Blue F150 with Camper Shell


masterandahound

  • Sea Lion
  • ****
  • View Profile
  • Location: Napa, CA
  • Date Registered: Mar 2014
  • Posts: 2107
I'll give it a try. I have experienced what you said about the knot slipping a little and unusually do four half hitches to close off the knot. Thanks for the info !
Ocean Kayak Prowler Big Game


Fuzzy Tom

  • Sea Lion
  • ****
  • View Profile
  • Location: Ex Santa Cruz/Reno
  • Date Registered: Jul 2005
  • Posts: 1734
   I think of the FG Knot as a variation of those toys called "finger cuffs", that are braided tubes which tighten onto the fingers when pulled. 
   I've never had a FG fail but always cinch with a lot of force (tho I've never seen one slide up the leader when cinching, so I must be wrapping tightly).  The first few times I tied it, I didn't fully trust it, so I put a drop of Super Glue on it, but it's not necessary, and maybe counterproductive.
   I really like the video showing how to tension the braid and wrap the braids between the fingers of one hand.  I suppose if I practiced that enough, I could tie one on the water if I had to.


 

anything