The FG knot connects PE main line to a leader. Tying it has three stages: hold the PE line open and weave it onto the leader, secure and tighten the weave, then trim the tag ends and smooth the transition. The wraps around your fingers only help you hold the line; the half hitches that follow secure and finish the knot. Count them separately.
Prepare PE line, a suitable leader, line cutters, and knot-pulling tools suitable for fine line. Work where you can clearly see the crossings, and complete each step in order.
01. Secure the PE line around your index finger
Wrap the PE line around your index finger about 5 times to hold it in place. Pinch the line with your other hand, keeping its path clear. These wraps are only a temporary anchor; they do not count toward the FG weave.
02. Loop over your thumb, then secure your little finger
Hook the PE line over your thumb once, then wrap it around your little finger about 5 times. Your index and little fingers hold the line, while your thumb helps position the section between them.
03. Release the thumb loop and form a triangle
Slip the loop off your thumb and use a finger on your other hand to hold it open, forming a triangle. Keep the anchor wraps on your index and little fingers. Make sure all three sides of the triangle are clear before introducing the leader.
04. Pass the leader through from below
Pass the leader through the triangle from below, controlling it where the two lines meet. Orange-yellow represents PE line in the illustrations; light blue represents the leader, making their paths easier to distinguish.
05. Twist once after each pass
Each time the leader passes through, twist the triangle of PE line once, progressively weaving the PE onto the leader for a total of 12–13 wraps. Count to the rhythm of one pass and one twist; do not double the count by treating each wrap as a pair.
Keep the passes and twists continuous so the two sides of the PE line alternately wrap around the leader. If you lose track of a crossing, stop and straighten it out rather than continuing with loose wraps all running in one direction.
06. Check the woven section
Inspect the weave: the PE should form a continuous crossing pattern along the leader, with both PE strands exiting from the same end of the woven section. Straighten any loose or tangled wraps before securing it.
The weave is now complete, but it has not yet been secured, tightened, or finished.
07. Tie one securing half hitch
Use the free end of the PE line—the tag end—to tie one half hitch around the PE main line and leader together. Seat the half hitch at the end of the weave, without overlapping the woven section.
08. Wet the knot, then tighten the weave
Wet the knot and control the line with knot-pulling tools suitable for fine line. Pull the PE main line and leader in opposite directions while controlling the PE tag end, allowing the weave to grip. Apply pressure gradually according to the tool instructions and watch the wraps seat firmly.
Do not hold the tag end in your teeth or wrap fine PE tightly around bare hands to take the load. The arrows illustrate the directions of pull.
09. Add about five more half hitches
After tightening, use the PE tag end to tie about 5 more half hitches, still around the PE main line and leader together. Tighten each in turn and seat them in sequence without overlapping the woven section.
These are about five additional half hitches after the single securing half hitch in Step 7. Do not count that first hitch as one of the five.
10. Trim the leader tag end
Trim the excess leader tag end as close to the knot as possible. Before cutting, identify the short, light-blue leader end and keep the blades clear of the PE main line and weave.
Do not trim the PE tag end yet. You still need it for the remaining half hitches and finish.
11. Smooth the transition with about three half hitches
Once the leader tag has been trimmed, use the PE tag end to tie about 3 more half hitches around the PE main line. Gradually taper the step at the end of the knot, making a smoother transition toward the main line so the shoulder is less likely to catch the guides.
The dark-blue loops below illustrate the half-hitch path; they do not represent another leader.
12. Pass through twice to finish, leaving about 5 mm
For the final finish, pass the PE tag end through the finishing loop twice, then tighten it firmly. Leave about 5 mm of PE tag end and trim off the excess.
Check that the weave and finish are secure and that the line near the cut is undamaged. If you find slipping, loose wraps, or damage, retie the knot before using it.
Wrap counts at a glance
| Stage | Count | Where the line goes |
|---|---|---|
| Holding the line | About 5 wraps on the index finger, 1 loop over the thumb, about 5 wraps on the little finger | Around the fingers as temporary anchors |
| Main weave | 12–13 wraps | Along the leader |
| Initial securing hitch | 1 half hitch | Around the PE main line and leader together |
| Securing after tightening | About 5 additional half hitches | Around the PE main line and leader together |
| Tapering after trimming the leader | About 3 half hitches | Around the PE main line |
| Final finish | Pass through twice; leave about 5 mm of PE tag | Through the finishing loop |