North Australian FISH FINDER TM forums

Trier, same as Seano. I don't melt the end of the mono either. 30 binds, 24 knots on mono and then 24 onto braid, then the last granny knot on the braid is fed through twice ala uni knot so iy won't unfurl. One hell of a tough knot that will straighten hooks & rings or break at the lure, which is way better than losing your leader. It glides through the runners and you can cast it off the spool on a spin reel or baitcaster.

The best knot ever!

Doors Off

Thanks guys, will practice a few ready for the next session. Probably take me a while though - besides being Darwins second worst fisherman, I think i'm about the slowest at rigging up a line; just ask Agent 86, he'll back me up!!

Trier- I just read paulas's write up on the FG- I think his problem was not tightening the knot enough while tieing it- it will not just pop -off- only if not done tight enough -ie- as tight as you can possibly tie it! as some one else mentioned ,the braid sort of changes colour- goes sort off darker and waxy looking when its bedded down TIGHT. This knot was developed for popping with heavy gear with huge drag settings for monster GTs- tough testing ground!!

Thanks Seano - will have to dig out some finger protection then!

seano wrote:Trier- I just read paulus's write up on the FG- I think his problem was not tightening the knot enough while tieing it- it will not just pop -off- only if not done tight enough -ie- as tight as you can possibly tie it! as some one else mentioned ,the braid sort of changes colour- goes sort off darker and waxy looking when its bedded down TIGHT. This knot was developed for popping with heavy gear with huge drag settings for monster GTs- tough testing ground!!

Hi Guys.

No mistake.

with the FG knot pulls from the top and as the braid bites in to the mono it lengthens leaving gaps. This may not be as evident using a hard mono.

In the PR the main line pulls from the bottom of the spiral, and the main line slides as the bottom of the knot tightens as the braid bites into the leader.

The PR is the better knot,,, but no where near the strength of the pullon system, which I believe is something everyone who is jigging and popping should learn to make.

Paulus

I'm another supporter of the FG knot. The only knot I can rely on to go through the guides smoothly for long sessions of casting. When I bust off its never at the braid to leader connection.

Previously I always used the double uni, but found a couple of hundred casts would see it wear through. Or catch excessively on the guides due to its bulk. When I bust off it always breaks at this join, despite making all efforts to lube and snug the knot correctly.

Hi Doors Off, Seano & Mnemonix, what brand leader are you using - was looking at 30lb for some lire flicking - ive got Black Magic 30lb fluorocarbon at home, but I assume you are using something a bit 'harder'? I also seem to recall a thread about some leaders being a bit more 'slippery' than others - presumably you wou want to use leader that is not slippery??

Will be tying 30lb Finns to it.

Ash: I prefer sunline super-pe personally. It has a good balance between thin diameter and strength that suits my gear and fishing style.
Often use black magic or siglon leaders, or just plain mono.

-Mark.

I wouldnt use 30lb for barra mate- I have had fish boof a plastic boat side twice in a row and turn and instantly cut the leader! Now I use 40lb flouro as a bare minimum in clear water -60lb black magic is an all-round good choice. If your using flouro carbon make sure your knot is perfect and tight as you can get it.

agree with seano on the 30lb leader.... bit light unless your chasing rats in gin clear water.

Ya guys, have also got 60lb (and 80 lb) Black Magic 'tough trace' in the cupboard as well - happy to use the 60lb. Can't guarantee a perfect knot, but will have a crack at it!

For Barra i use 55lbs Schneider leader, connected with a slim beauty, hasn't let me down so far.
I hate Black Magic leader, but thats just my opinion.

Wow......no one seems to do it the way I do? I dont even try to tie my leader to the braid. I just put a spider hitch in both of them and loop them together. I've never had any problems that I can recall.
What do you lads think?

First knot using braid i tied (on a charter trip to Melville Island) was a spider hitch looped to a swivel.......had no problems pulling up big jewies and xos goldies, but now use a jig for tying the bimini twist knot and then loop to a wind on leader.......the breaking strenght is awesome!

Trier,

my favourite leader is Surecatch, fantastic and under rated. Bit hard to get some times (pretty cheap), I use Jinkai as well and sometimes Black Magic (though not a fan of it really). Schnieder line is fantastic in the lighter breaking strains and great value for money as is Surecatch and they are both damn good quality and hold an FG knot very well. I don't use flourocarbon (I do when I go fly fishing for Trout at the Mussus house in Un Zed) but not up here. I fish light leader with schneider (for Barra with small plastics / clear water) due to it being pretty abrasion resistant compared to others.

End of the day, the knot you use and the leader you use will be fine, confidence plays a big factor and fishing the same type of knot and leader brand will give you the confidence to be able to push it to its limits. I used to use the improved albright and slim beauty, great knots, but I went to the FG because of it being so low profile and now i have the confidence in my ability to tie it and push it. It can be pushed a lot harder than the other knots I used to tie.

I don't use clips and I use a Uni knot to tie on my lures, but I always tie the uni so that it is not closed up on the eyelet, that way it has a bit of give and the line has not been put to it breaking point before a fish takes it. Plus the loop knot confuses me, too much like tying my shoe laces (damn living in the tropics from a young age, thongs are just too easy compared to those silly shoe things).

Cheers,

Doors Off