Great video , I ususally run 80lb mainline braid onto 7m of 80lb fluro I tie a FG knot, Im thinking about running the 180lb braided leader instead. Can I just join the mainline and braided leader with one FG knot?
quick question can i use 80lb leader (JDB DNA) to cast 5 and 6 Oz weights with my Assasin championship #5 (am using 30lb JDB DNA main) or is 100lb leader better
So just so I have this correct. Starting from your hook to the reel.... FMJ shark trace connected to a 180lb braided leader (knot?), then 180lb braided leader connected to 80 lb topshot with fg, then 80 lb braided topshot connects to 65 lb braided backing, around 600 yards? Correct? Thanks. Awesome channel!!
Thats 100% correct...the knot that i use to connect my leader to my fmj shark trace is a figure eight but i turn it 6-8 time appose to the normal 3 turns. Thanks
Just curious if you have ever tried using heavy mono on the top portion of your trace. Example starting from hook: circle hook connected with snell knot to coated cable, 3 to 4 feet. Then cable is connected by swivel to upper portion of trace which is 400 lb mono, 8 or 9 feet. The 400 mono is connected to mainline by an fg knot. The leader is able to be reeled onto the rod and casted through the guides. Thoughts?
@@mikem9727 it slaps through the guys and does not cast well like that! The braided leader casts much better and is strong enough to handle some of the largest of sharks around
@@zoolookfishing makes sense. I can tell you fish some really flat beaches, or off the rocks which makes casting distance very important. I fish some flat beaches as well in North Carolina. I am a little surprised the braid holds up over the rocks and structure. Do you have many cutoffs? Thanks
@@mikem9727 no problem with cut offs hey...thats where the 6-8m 180lbs or 220lbs braided leader comes in...it helps a lot when the shark is close by! It can take the punch hey!
@@zoolookfishing so the one braid is a 30lb braid and it's 18mm thickness and the other one is also a 30 lb braided line but its thickness is 28mm what would be the best knot to tie the two together
Hi Xander. Two questions about the FG When tying main line to braided leader, if you don't mind: 1. When pulling tight the half-hitch which ends do you pull? 2. When pulling tight the rizzuto which 2 ends do you pull? Just making sure I do it right.
Informative video.Just one question: Will FG work on 30 and 50 pound braid, cause that is what I'm using nowadays with a 0.50 monofilament leader fishing for steenbras, cob and cracker.Would love to have a 30 pound braid mainline with a 50 pound braid leader.Hope I make sense.
You can also tie the 50lbs braided leader to your mono leader with a fg...I would just consider going up to a .60mm mono leader...the last 1-1,5m before your trace starts
@@zoolookfishing Thanks a lot for the feedback.Just one more question: My mainline is a 4 strand FINNS - from Australia and my leader will be 50lbs HMP 8 strand braid with a meter long 0.50 monofilament for the sinker to slide on.Won't the 50lbs cut through the 30 pounds because of the different number strands.
@@henryrossouw930 if you using a sliding or semi sliding like you are talking off here. Rather use a small Japan Power swivel to join your 50lbs braid leader to your .50mm mono. Slide a bead on each side of the sliding swivel. This will act as a stopper and prevent the swivel on going onto the mainline and leader.
Hi there.. Awesome videos. Just a quick question. Do you tie mono leader onto the braid leader as well? I found that when I tie a 0.80 leader mono onto my 120 braid leader it doesn't go through the guides well.
Thanks...no your braided leader should go directly to your trace...if you are not throwing a full metal you can add a piece of mono above your trace but only like 1m so that it does not go through your guides.
@@zoolookfishing Thanks allot.... I only fish edibles so I must tie my braid leader straight to my trace then. What is a full metal?You said if I'm not throwing a full metal I must use mono leader on to the braid leader?
No a full metal is for sharks. If you are fishing edibles add about 1m to1.2m of mono above your trace. That is attached to your braided leader but this piece of mono above your trace should not go through your guides..adapt the length of the piece of mono to suite your casting style the longer your drop is when you cast the longer you can make that mono section if you cast with a short drop make that piece of mono above your trace shorter so that the knot or swivel, depending on what you use is as close as possible as your tip ring but does not go into your guides.
Very interesting setup, I don't understand why you need the 30cm of braid and FG twice? The reel has 600m of ?lb, then 30cm of 200lb, then 300m of ?lb? Can you clarify please I'm keen to learn how you do it
Watch the part at 10:30 again he says its to save time by only making one knot instead of two when replacing topshot... I would also assume it adds some suppleness. so 600m of 50lb - fg knot to 30cm length of 200lb - fig to 300m 50lb topshot, or however you like to fish.
On why 2 FG knots... FG is normally used for joining thin braid to thicker leader as the line tightens on the thicker more rigid line under tension. the 200lb braid is probably the thickness that he feels comfortable with that rigid enough.
The fg tightens better from a thin braid to a thicker braid. Grips much better. Backing on that reel is 65lbs braid and the topshot is 80lbs braid as n mention in the video. That 30cm section will only ever leave your reel when you are hooked into a large shark that's why I want maximum strength as you will need to apply a lot of pressure. Hope it makes sense.
for me to follow your system... if i am using 30lb braid to fish. could use 65lb backing to fill the reel ? (otherwise i would have an insane amt of 30lb on my Saltiga 20k) Then use a 30cm of approx 200lb as a 'bridge' Then i would attach the 300/400m of 30lb then attach approx 17m lets say 100lb leader ? Does this make sense or i am off track ?
@@zoolookfishing Thanks (sorry i meant 7m , enough to get around reel few times on 15' rod). Thanks for the advice, 120lb it is. i will be using an Assasin Horizon championship #5 as per looking at your other videos. i have already spoken to Ifish and they have put me in touch with Verushka to sort out a rod for me to Ghana , West Africa. looking forward to my new xmas present. Love your channel, learning alot.
Haven't actually compared the two...used stitching before once or twice but I much more prefer the FG! Once I have confidence in something I don't easily change
Hii Zander. Ek het gister aand vir my n 100lb braided leader op 30lb braid. Die FG wat ek gemaak het van my backing na my mainline het baie mooi uitgedraai, maar die braided leader na mainline lyk vir my baie bulky. kan mens die knoop reverse en die maainline op die leader opwen of gaan daar probleme wees as ek dit so om doen? ek dink die knoop sal net baie mooier lyk as ek die 30lb op die leader opwen in plaas van die normale nanier. Enige opini op dit?
Hi Xander Great video dankie! 30lb Big Boss Braid - sal 'n Siglon FC 44lb leader met die FG knot werk - leader is redelik dikker as die braid (wil bietjie by Suiderstrand gaan scratch)?
As ek nie n braided leader gooi nie sit ek net so 1,5m stukkie 0.60 of 0.65mm maxima ultra green as n leader aan as ek scratch. Die FC sal werk maar dis onodig duur om as leader te gebruik.
Thank you :-) Very clear and the two camera angles are very helpful !! Well done - tight lines. However, one small observation, I'm not sure if others feel the same but the sound tracks that you use are a lot louder than the voice in the video. So when you transition from discussion to sound track it's way too loud. Almost everyone else has the wrong idea too … I'm interested in your topic not your choice of music, the volume is way too loud. Thanking again - Ted : Avid Angler Australia
Thanks man...yes ek sal...kyk ook op my channel is playlists met edible en non edible videos daar in verduidelik ek waarmee ek vis...stroppe ens...maar ek sal in die toekoms n paar maak wat gerignis op stroppe ens.
Awesome vids man! Question: why do you use the leader as a bridge between your topshot and your backing? This gives you two extra knots in your line. Isn't it better to just tie your backing directly to your topshot?
Thanks! Tying a fg on the same diameter line isn't as strong as tying it from n thin diameter to a thicker diameter. The fg has near 100% knot strength so its not a weak spot...its the same knot that is used on my leader so it would be the same strength. Also when I change the topshot i only need to cut off the one fg and tie only the new topshot to the small piece of leader. Hope it makes sense
@@zoolookfishing Ok this makes a lot of sense, thank you. What are your thoughts on uni to uni for braid? On knot strength test videos it appears to have the same strength as FX
I dont know how accurate the tests are but i used to use the uni to uni way back before the time of fg but found the fg stronger especially on a thinner diameter to a much thicker diameter.
One the few channels I click like before watching the video...
Haha better watch this before you like to see if you actually like it...thanks!
Hey bud can you do a updated video in a 3-6 minute format would be sick, your knowledge must be insane now love the vids man.
Altyd lekker om terug te kom na die ou vids vir details wat mens vergeet ... dankie.
Best Channel on UA-cam !! Dankie Xander !!!
Geez dis nogal n wilde statement! Maar baie dankie ek waardeer! Hoop die tip help!
@@zoolookfishing Defnitly, im gonna try that !! ,moet net nog oefen n biekie met daai ,
Works great...just not too easy filming it and getting close enough to get the shot.
Dankie boeta. Het bietjie vloek en skel gevat maar jou manier van die fg knot werk die beste vir my...
haha as jy hom eers onder die knie het loop hy mooi! thanks!
Lekker, now I finally know how to tie my FG without someone elses help... Thanks
Shot🤙🏻🎣
I ''LOVE'' that you always reply! Appreciate it man
Pleasure man....I try to read and reply to all comments. It helps when you engage with the viewers to know what they want to see.
Once again an excellent video. Also your reply’s to questions are really informative.
Thanks bud! I appreciate! Ask any time if require more info🎣
Shot man! Nice!
Hou van die afwerking met die loop op die einde. 👍👍
Awesome man. Bly jy like dit! Dankie
Leker ZLF. Goeie tackle Tuesday Vid 👍🏽 gaan defnetief my setup so bietjie verbeter.
Lekker tjom! Thanks🤙🏻
Lekka video Xander 🤙🏻
Shot🤟🏻 hope it helps!
Thanks it was very informative and will try it out most definitely much appreciated advice
Pleasure man🤙🏻
Beste video wat die FG knoop verduidelik 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Baie dankie
Finally... Been waiting for the first episode
Hope you enjoy🤙🏻🎣
Great video , I ususally run 80lb mainline braid onto 7m of 80lb fluro I tie a FG knot, Im thinking about running the 180lb braided leader instead. Can I just join the mainline and braided leader with one FG knot?
Yeah, that is exactly what I do. I tie my mainline with a fg to a braided leader👌🏻
Great video, many thanks. Does the thicker braid come into the guides when casting?
The way you finish off your FG knot also works well on a Bimini twist when using mono on a multiplier and its more finesse than the half hitches.
Absolutely! that is how I finish my bimini twist as well🤙🏻
Thanks gaan dit try. 👍
Groot plesier...hys yster sterk!🤙🏻
quick question can i use 80lb leader (JDB DNA) to cast 5 and 6 Oz weights with my Assasin championship #5 (am using 30lb JDB DNA main) or is 100lb leader better
Yeah that is perfect. No need to go heavier unless you are targeting mussel crackers in foal areas.
When you put your backing before your top shot do you use a formula or reverse feed on another spool first?
First reverse feed it...then take it off and turn it around. Once my backing is on i know how much topshot my reel will take in the future.
Thanks, If I don’t have a spare spool, do you know a formula or must I unwind by hand?
I usually reel it onto an empty reel or onto empty braid spool by using a dril
Howzit! So from the braided leader are you adding any fluorocarbon before your trace or braided leader straight onto trace?
Xander how many wraps do you do for your FG, from 50lb mainline to 180lb leader?
So just so I have this correct. Starting from your hook to the reel....
FMJ shark trace connected to a 180lb braided leader (knot?), then 180lb braided leader connected to 80 lb topshot with fg, then 80 lb braided topshot connects to 65 lb braided backing, around 600 yards?
Correct?
Thanks. Awesome channel!!
Thats 100% correct...the knot that i use to connect my leader to my fmj shark trace is a figure eight but i turn it 6-8 time appose to the normal 3 turns. Thanks
Just curious if you have ever tried using heavy mono on the top portion of your trace. Example starting from hook: circle hook connected with snell knot to coated cable, 3 to 4 feet. Then cable is connected by swivel to upper portion of trace which is 400 lb mono, 8 or 9 feet. The 400 mono is connected to mainline by an fg knot. The leader is able to be reeled onto the rod and casted through the guides.
Thoughts?
@@mikem9727 it slaps through the guys and does not cast well like that! The braided leader casts much better and is strong enough to handle some of the largest of sharks around
@@zoolookfishing makes sense. I can tell you fish some really flat beaches, or off the rocks which makes casting distance very important. I fish some flat beaches as well in North Carolina. I am a little surprised the braid holds up over the rocks and structure. Do you have many cutoffs?
Thanks
@@mikem9727 no problem with cut offs hey...thats where the 6-8m 180lbs or 220lbs braided leader comes in...it helps a lot when the shark is close by! It can take the punch hey!
Buddy, I just tied broad to plastic line, not sur did it turned out well as I placed a not at the end of each when I attempted it
I got a 8500 spinner reel with 30 lb braid. So you would add with fg knot a 80 lb braid and then fg to a heavy mono again?
Can one use this knot for joining thick mono or foloro leader to mono main line
Hi,
No, its meant for braid to mono or braid to braid. Not mono to mono.
in your opinion which would be the best knot to use braid to braid the double uni knot vs the blood knot which one would you choose
FG bru👌🏻
even if you wanna connect to 30lb Lines??
and would I have to use a thicker line in between the two FG knots
@@zoolookfishing so the one braid is a 30lb braid and it's 18mm thickness and the other one is also a 30 lb braided line but its thickness is 28mm what would be the best knot to tie the two together
I would really appreciate your input
Hi Xander. Two questions about the FG When tying main line to braided leader, if you don't mind:
1. When pulling tight the half-hitch which ends do you pull?
2. When pulling tight the rizzuto which 2 ends do you pull?
Just making sure I do it right.
1. both ends
2. hold both the leader part and mainline tight and pull the rizutto tag end tight 🤙🏻
Thanks bud. So when pulling tight the half hitch do you only pull the two tag ends?
Informative video.Just one question: Will FG work on 30 and 50 pound braid, cause that is what I'm using nowadays with a 0.50 monofilament leader fishing for steenbras, cob and cracker.Would love to have a 30 pound braid mainline with a 50 pound braid leader.Hope I make sense.
Yes it will work...that is exactly how I fish with a casting leader on my 30lbs setup. 30lbs mainline to 50lbs leader will work perfect. .tight lines!
You can also tie the 50lbs braided leader to your mono leader with a fg...I would just consider going up to a .60mm mono leader...the last 1-1,5m before your trace starts
@@zoolookfishing Thanks a lot for the feedback.Just one more question: My mainline is a 4 strand FINNS - from Australia and my leader will be 50lbs HMP 8 strand braid with a meter long 0.50 monofilament for the sinker to slide on.Won't the 50lbs cut through the 30 pounds because of the different number strands.
@@henryrossouw930 if you using a sliding or semi sliding like you are talking off here. Rather use a small Japan Power swivel to join your 50lbs braid leader to your .50mm mono. Slide a bead on each side of the sliding swivel. This will act as a stopper and prevent the swivel on going onto the mainline and leader.
@@zoolookfishing Thanks a lot. Will surely try it.
Hi there.. Awesome videos. Just a quick question. Do you tie mono leader onto the braid leader as well? I found that when I tie a 0.80 leader mono onto my 120 braid leader it doesn't go through the guides well.
Thanks...no your braided leader should go directly to your trace...if you are not throwing a full metal you can add a piece of mono above your trace but only like 1m so that it does not go through your guides.
@@zoolookfishing Thanks allot.... I only fish edibles so I must tie my braid leader straight to my trace then. What is a full metal?You said if I'm not throwing a full metal I must use mono leader on to the braid leader?
No a full metal is for sharks. If you are fishing edibles add about 1m to1.2m of mono above your trace. That is attached to your braided leader but this piece of mono above your trace should not go through your guides..adapt the length of the piece of mono to suite your casting style the longer your drop is when you cast the longer you can make that mono section if you cast with a short drop make that piece of mono above your trace shorter so that the knot or swivel, depending on what you use is as close as possible as your tip ring but does not go into your guides.
@@zoolookfishing Top response.
Pleasure man! Tight lines!
Very interesting setup, I don't understand why you need the 30cm of braid and FG twice?
The reel has 600m of ?lb, then 30cm of 200lb, then 300m of ?lb?
Can you clarify please I'm keen to learn how you do it
Watch the part at 10:30 again he says its to save time by only making one knot instead of two when replacing topshot... I would also assume it adds some suppleness. so 600m of 50lb - fg knot to 30cm length of 200lb - fig to 300m 50lb topshot, or however you like to fish.
On why 2 FG knots... FG is normally used for joining thin braid to thicker leader as the line tightens on the thicker more rigid line under tension. the 200lb braid is probably the thickness that he feels comfortable with that rigid enough.
The fg tightens better from a thin braid to a thicker braid. Grips much better. Backing on that reel is 65lbs braid and the topshot is 80lbs braid as n mention in the video. That 30cm section will only ever leave your reel when you are hooked into a large shark that's why I want maximum strength as you will need to apply a lot of pressure. Hope it makes sense.
@@zoolookfishingI get it now thank you
for me to follow your system... if i am using 30lb braid to fish. could use 65lb backing to fill the reel ? (otherwise i would have an insane amt of 30lb on my Saltiga 20k) Then use a 30cm of approx 200lb as a 'bridge' Then i would attach the 300/400m of 30lb then attach approx 17m lets say 100lb leader ? Does this make sense or i am off track ?
You are on track👌🏻 you dont need 200lb as a “bridge” 120lb is perfect. Dont make the leader that long, 7m is more than enough. 17m is a bit too long
@@zoolookfishing Thanks (sorry i meant 7m , enough to get around reel few times on 15' rod). Thanks for the advice, 120lb it is. i will be using an Assasin Horizon championship #5 as per looking at your other videos. i have already spoken to Ifish and they have put me in touch with Verushka to sort out a rod for me to Ghana , West Africa. looking forward to my new xmas present. Love your channel, learning alot.
hey xander what do u use as backing ?
Nice vid xander!!! How does FG compare to braid stitching? Thats either stiching into each other or stitching 2x loops and cats paw...
Haven't actually compared the two...used stitching before once or twice but I much more prefer the FG! Once I have confidence in something I don't easily change
Hii Zander. Ek het gister aand vir my n 100lb braided leader op 30lb braid. Die FG wat ek gemaak het van my backing na my mainline het baie mooi uitgedraai, maar die braided leader na mainline lyk vir my baie bulky. kan mens die knoop reverse en die maainline op die leader opwen of gaan daar probleme wees as ek dit so om doen? ek dink die knoop sal net baie mooier lyk as ek die 30lb op die leader opwen in plaas van die normale nanier. Enige opini op dit?
Jis die dun lyn moet om die leader gaan, dit is die normale manier...jy het hom verkeerd om gedoen.
Hi Xander
Great video dankie! 30lb Big Boss Braid - sal 'n Siglon FC 44lb leader met die FG knot werk - leader is redelik dikker as die braid (wil bietjie by Suiderstrand gaan scratch)?
As ek nie n braided leader gooi nie sit ek net so 1,5m stukkie 0.60 of 0.65mm maxima ultra green as n leader aan as ek scratch. Die FC sal werk maar dis onodig duur om as leader te gebruik.
Baie dankie vir die raad en jou vinnige terugvoer - ja die FC is bitter duur! Lekker dag
Thank you :-) Very clear and the two camera angles are very helpful !! Well done - tight lines.
However, one small observation, I'm not sure if others feel the same but the sound tracks that you use are a lot louder than the voice in the video. So when you transition from discussion to sound track it's way too loud.
Almost everyone else has the wrong idea too … I'm interested in your topic not your choice of music, the volume is way too loud.
Thanking again - Ted : Avid Angler Australia
Thanks! I appreciate the feedback! I will have a look at the music and bring the volume a bit down! Thanks
@@zoolookfishing Good on you !! :-) Ted
wat dink j van di bimimi en catspaw vi di backing na jo topshot?
Dit werk goed maar ek hou meer van die Fg
Great show Xander. Kan jy dalk n Tackle Tuesday doen op verskillende stroppe (lyn lengtes, hoek grotes, ens) vir edibles en non edibles asb.
Thanks man...yes ek sal...kyk ook op my channel is playlists met edible en non edible videos daar in verduidelik ek waarmee ek vis...stroppe ens...maar ek sal in die toekoms n paar maak wat gerignis op stroppe ens.
Awesome vids man! Question: why do you use the leader as a bridge between your topshot and your backing? This gives you two extra knots in your line. Isn't it better to just tie your backing directly to your topshot?
Thanks! Tying a fg on the same diameter line isn't as strong as tying it from n thin diameter to a thicker diameter. The fg has near 100% knot strength so its not a weak spot...its the same knot that is used on my leader so it would be the same strength. Also when I change the topshot i only need to cut off the one fg and tie only the new topshot to the small piece of leader. Hope it makes sense
@@zoolookfishing Ok this makes a lot of sense, thank you. What are your thoughts on uni to uni for braid? On knot strength test videos it appears to have the same strength as FX
I dont know how accurate the tests are but i used to use the uni to uni way back before the time of fg but found the fg stronger especially on a thinner diameter to a much thicker diameter.
@@zoolookfishing lekka, thanks mate. Let me start practicing! FX is a bit of a pickle but I guess its like anything, practice makes perfect
Absolutely!
The rod looks so thick? I steer any special purpose, art you using a 14K stellar
I am using a 20k stella. The rods are not thick at all considering that is 15ft rods
The fg knot aka Chinese finger trap
Ek het dit met my 20lb main lyn en 40lb leader gedoen en reg gekry...
awesome man!
Looks complicated