JimInCanton Loc: Canton, Ohio

With eyesight and hand dexterity not what it once was I needed a better way to tie the FG knot. I have the daiichi Seiko Knot Assist 2.0 tool, but my fingers would get cramped trying to hold the tool in one hand while tying the knot with the other hand. MY purpose is not to show a tutorial on tying the knot, there are many excellent videos elsewhere for those not familiar with the excellent knot tying tool.

In order to use both hands freely while tying the knot I mounted my tool onto a 1 x 4 board 22 inches long. The first photo will show my setup with everything I need all in one place as a kit. At bottom is a roll of tape to contain loose ends, with my favorite braided line cutters. My favorite leader line is 10# PLINE FLOUROCARBON, and it is mounted on a bolt with a spring underneath the spool that allows me to wrap off line while holding the spool snug that keeps it from unwrapping. Next is my favorite braided line, 12# SUNLINE PLASMA in Light Green, shown only for information. Above that is my daiichi Knot Assist 2.0 tool. The clip all the way at the top is a keeper for three extra needle storage. I can place the bottom the board in a vise, lean it against the table while sitting on chair, etc.

The hack I came up with is to use a large eye harness sewing needle in a "sewing" action to wrap the leader line above and below the FG knot during its formation. Using the needle allows me full use of both hands and all fingers in a relaxed manner while tying an excellent knot.

I've pictured the needle tied to the leader line before beginning the knot, as well as a pic showing using the needle to go above the knot and then another pic below the knot.

Other pics will show the blunt tip harness needle, one showing how the tool is mounted, extra needle storage, etc.

I will post a link to the harness needles, and the daiichi knot assist 2.0 tool can be found on amazon.
To mount the tool a 1/4 x 20 tap fits perfectly to tap threads in the tool and an all threaded bolt 4 in long with multiple nuts are used to hold the tool tightly in position.

https://www.amazon.com/John-James-Saddlers-Harness-Needles/dp/B01IO3U3NS




The

My set up showing everything in need all in one kit.


Sunline removed for clarity


Showing leader line attached to leader


Sewing action with needle threading above and around the braid line forming the knot


Sewing action with needle threading below and around the braid forming the knot


How tool is attached to the board


Extra needle storage


Large eye harness needle with blunt tip keeps from stabbing yourself.

sytheteacher Loc: Brooklyn N.Y.

Excellent setup.. Very neat..

NJ219bands Loc: New Jersey

Nice 😊

JimInCanton Loc: Canton, Ohio

[quote=sytheteacher]Excellent setup.. Very neat..

Thanks. I meant to add one more pic of how the leader line spool is attached with a spring underneath the spool and a wing nut on top so that I can adjust the tension. On the underside of the board I counter sink the holes so the board lays flat when I set it down.

JimInCanton Loc: Canton, Ohio

Thanks. I use to dread having to hunt up all the needed material to tie on a new leader line. Now I have everything in one place every time and enjoy tying on new leaders.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Wow, very impressive. I think I will just stick to uni knots. With my messed up hand, they are easy to tie and have never failed on halibut over 300 plus pounds, ling cod over 80 pounds and sharks over ? pounds. I have seen several complicated knots used in big game fishing. Being a know nothing when it comes to billfish etc.(though I have caught several with a guide) I am unclear as to why such complicated knots are used. Please enlighten me. Thanks

JimInCanton Loc: Canton, Ohio

quoting bababear: " Please enlighten me."

Sounds to me like you are already enlightened. With all due respect, I have trouble tying the uni knot too. Besides, the "Which knot is best" threads are over that way. --------->

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Jim, sounds like a misunderstanding. What I was wondering, is why does one use what seems like such a complicated knot requiring special gear to tie? It must have some advantage or it would not be so popular. I could also ask the same questioning about the bimini twist. Both knots seem to have a strong following in tropical and semi tropical areas, yet I very rarely, not never, see them used in cold water fishing. This is ment as a legit question with no favoritism or criticism. Sharing an learning is why I am on this sight. As for me, I use to the uni to uni because I can tie it with a missing finger, a frozen finger, and an artificial joint on my left hand.

JimInCanton Loc: Canton, Ohio

Bapabear, I'll quote two sources from elsewhere..."The FG knot is actually stronger than the line, and it's a plaited knot, which means the braid is woven around the fluorocarbon, so it's super thin and there's no curl in the fluorocarbon ... And... "its the strongest braid to leader knot"

Many fishermen like it because it is so very small and passes through the extremely small eyes on the ends of better fishing rods. Since it virtually never catches , more accurate casts are facilitated with 1/4 ounce jigs, ned rigs, light tackle, etc

Complicated? Not really. Special rig needed? Not at all. Some can easily tie it while bobbing in a boat by holding the braid line in their teeth with the rod tilted away from them, all while wrapping the new leader line with their fingers. I can't.

I can fumble through a clinch knot on a hook but it's a struggle for me to even make a double clinch knot. I keep losing the end before getting it back through the second eye.

I was hesitant to even make the post because the younger and more adept folks would think it overkill or silly. Perhaps the post should have been just one line that said "Tie a needle onto the end of the leader line to give better control while using a sewing type motion to form the knot". So it may be that the post itself was complicated. Probably a throwback to my old military days when things were often in kit form.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Now you have my interest. I have never met a knot I could not tie. Even if it keeps me up well past my bedtime for the next two weeks