How Many Coils Should An FG Knot Have? [New Experiment]
- By: Luke Simonds
- on
A recent question came in about how many coils to use for the FG knot, so I decided to do some testing to see how much the coil count mattered.
This new experiment revealed some surprising findings including a new record for a 10 lb braid’s breaking point in a knot experiment… a whopping 26.92 lbs – WOW!
Click on the video below to see the findings:
FG Knot Coil Experiment [Video]
Click here to see how to tie the FG knot
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The lines used in this test were 10 lb braid lines (PowerPro & J-Braid 8 Grand) that were connected to a 30 lb leader (Ande monofilament).
Braid Lines
- 4-Strand – PowerPro – 10 lb
- 8-Strand – J-Braid 8 Grand – 10 lb
Leader Line – Andy Monofilament – 30 lb
Conclusion
Although this test found that 30 coils brought on some added strength to the FG knot, the increased difficulty of locking all of the coils into place overshadows the strength gain in my opinion.
So I’m planning to stick with the 18 to 20 coil count for my FG knots going forward.
Have you tried use 30 or more coils for your FG knot? If yes, please let me know if you’ve had any issues with the knot getting compromised when casting it through the rod guides.
Are there any other aspects of the FG knot that you’d like me to test? If so, leave a comment down below.
P.S. – The strength of our knots is one of the few things that we have 100% control over, so it’s on us to make sure we’re maximizing our odds of landing a fish of a lifetime whenever the opportunity arises. Click here to see the full listing of knots ranked by their performance for each knot type.
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Do you have any knot tests for 80lb braid with 100lb fluorocarbon leader. This is for my Bluefin setup and I’m finding that some knots are an absolute bear to tie for heavy line combos. My arthritic hands and crummy eyesight don’t help things.
Then there’s the gimme of having to tie a complex knot on snotty seas that sends me over to pukeville.
When in doubt, go with the double uni knot. I haven’t done any testing for lines that size so not sure how they all compare.
double uni fails on big fish or near the braid cuts the mono where the two loops meet. works fine for small fish.
What is the breaking strength of the braid? IGFA doesn’t pass many records submitted with braid because the breaking strength is so inconsistent. Breaking strength of different manufacturers will probably be different for 10# braid.
Be sure to compare “apples to apples “.
The absolute breaking point of braids is typically much higher than their listed strength. I personally don’t worry about the absolute breaking points because the knot strength, casting distance, and abrasion resistance is what matters most in terms of catching fish. So those are the variables I focus on when performing knot tests.
For anyone going after IGFA records, it’s important to seek out lines that are IGFA approved.
I tie the FG knot using a modification of a method I discovered on Lost Horizon Fishing. I have arthritis in my hands and this method uses a loop in the end of the braid attached to the reel handle to create tension. I use 30 turns for Power Pro10# to Vanish 20# and after I tie two overhand knots around the leader tag and main line braid, I pull the leader and main line apart as hard as i can with the lines wrapped around old toothbrush handles for tensioners. I then cut the tag end of the leader close to the knot and tie four overhand knots with the tag end of the braid around the main line and cut the braid tag end to about 1/8 inch. I use about 7 feet of leader for my 7-1/2 foot TFO rod and have never had a problem casting through the guides or having the FG knot break or come loose. Lost Horizon Fishing on U-Tube shows how it is done, but I modified it through trial and error.
I do mine 10-12 per side depending on leader size. So 20-24
Thanks for sharing the intel
Check out “Briggsy’s FG knot” on YouTube. I use his method to finish off the knot with a Rizulo/Rizuto (not sure of the spelling) loop. The two knots tighten against each other under tension and I’ve never had any issues with the FG knot unwrapping. Hope this helps!
Great report! I’ve been using the double uni and have lost a lot of tackle lol. I’ll be using this knot from now on. Thanks again
Thanks for another great test video!
I found that 20-22 turns on an FG worked well for me….but the one thing I learned the hard way is to REALLY tighten the knot down after the wraps are done and one single half hitch is placed to stabilize the wraps. It is very interresting to watch what happens when you really pull on the leader and running line at this stage. I use gloves and really pull hard. You can see the wraps tighten and contract in length by about 20-30%. The braid color gets darker as the wraps compact themselves around the leader. After adding this step I have had zero slippages where the leader comes out of the wrap. It helps me to pull just untill I see the wraps contract and get a bit darker. Then I finnish the knot. If you pull the knot tight after finishing it, the wraps won’t compact well and it can still slip.
I have used the FG on some of my offshore set-ups and it has been perfect so far and seems less tempermental with larger diameter braids and leaders.
The next knot tech for me is holowcore connections….it’s really interresting and so far has been useful and reliable offshore.
Thanks so much for making time to post the helpful comment. I’ll be sure to tighten after 1 half hitch vs 2 because what you said makes total sense.
Luke, you mention that the PR most likely will fail if the first wrap is not cinched properly, which may happen more readily with more wraps. I firsted leaned to tie this knot watching Tim Carter’s You Tube video…He wanted you to pull the knot tight after 6 wraps each direction or 12 total, then do anther 6 each way, pull and finish for a total of 24. Yes, one pull is quicker, but 2 tightenings is better. I have 30# braid and 50# flouro on my jigging rods and there has not been anything that has beaten that combo except maybe the old tugboat I got snagged on.
How cool! I learned the FG knot from Tim’s video too. I believe that the tightening he recommends every 6 wraps was simply to keep the coils in uniform shape/tension since they were formed without any tension on them… I thought the initial tightenings were just to keep it all snug together (vs. locking coils into place with a lot of force).
Luke, That’s amazing, Thanks for sharing
I do between 18-22 wraps. $40lb braid and 60lb leader. Almost never have an issue. And if I do have an issue, I believe it is because I didn’t take my time. You definitely want to take your time and do quality wraps.