Man, I've been tying a double-uni for at least 35 years. Knot failures have been uncommon for me. I tried this FG a half dozen times and it's just not worth the hassle. Sticking with the double-uni for now. Although I recently found your comprehensive knot tying guide and I might check out that 6 turn surgeons, or that Alberto you just mentioned. Thanks for all you guys do.
I know what you mean. The first several times I tried the FG knot it didn't work very well. After a while I decided to try it again, because the double uni is just too thick for my liking, and I think I've finally got it down to where I can tie a FG knot that actually holds.
I never saw the sense in buying $20 per 25 meter fluorocarbon when I can get 500 meters of good quality mono for the same price. I guess because I was late getting into braid I missed the hype phase of leader development. I appreciate all the tests Luke has conducted over the last couple years and have Incorporated all of his findings and advice, including his advice today about testing your knots with the lines your using. For a while I kept a record of all my knot tests along with the samples and it's really been helpful. Thanks for all your videos.
Great video. I have only tied the double uni knot because it is easy for me but you guys should link a video on how to tie the knots you mentioned?? I have not even herd of the knots you mentioned, you guys are high tech. I am just a halfbreed from Corpus Christi trying to keep my line from breaking on the oyster beds in Port A on my Kayak. LOL
This answered many questions about SW FL fishing leader confusion I have had... And lost fish due to my ignorance. Great video.... Except for the damn Spanish Macs... nothing is going to stop them from missing the lure and cutting any wt. leader.
I use 15lb braid with 30lb mono for my liter on the flats. I know it’s overkill but the amount of snook I catch just on flats makes me think I can’t go lighter. Been sawed off too many times and losing $15 or more lures just gives me a headache.
I've only been using Florro to use it up. That changed when I caught a trout and flipped it in my kayak and the loop knot broke and the fish is flopping around with my lure in its mouth. I know it takes abrasion but with mono I test it but will re-Tie shorty after. Gave away or trashed any florro I had. I fish more than the weekend worrier, but I'll change out my leaders every 2 or 3 trips depending how much I'm using that pole. Just gives me a piece of mind. My FG knots tend to start unraveling after a little bit but after watching this it's a good possibility I'm having to long of a leader cause I'll tie on a 5-6' leader.
A wealth of information here that I wish I had been told when I first started, few things may have not been covered in this video was Leader line Colors Transparent vs Blue vs Green vs Pink vs Bronze ... And the difference between a soft mono vs a hard mono line .. would be a great area to explore 💚
The common wisdom about mono and fluorocarbon line being more abrasion resistant than braided line is universally stated, but not consistent at all with what we observe in cutting off tag ends of fishing line. The little scissors on my Swiss Army knife have no problems whatsoever cutting through virtually any weight monofilament, or fluorocarbon leader I might use, which would top off at probably 30 pounds. But if I’m trying to cut 20 or 30 pound braid with those scissors, it’s taking multiple cuts and slices to go all the way through all of the strands. We’ve all seen special scissors designed to cut braided line and they do work better than just a typical pair of scissors. So if it is so much more difficult to slice through braided lime with sharp metal tools, how is it that a fish’s teeth can slice through it so much more easily than through monofilament or fluorocarbon line? I’ve never been able to wrap my head around that.
I’ve been using a steel leader.😂. No idea it mattered so much. Probably 60-100lb leader. Hope I got some laughs. Changing to 20lb mono today and taking my 11yr old girl out!
The surgeon knot is essential for tying flyfishing leaders. I do use them and they are so easy, quick and really strong. Try Surgeons knots. Two loops.
The one thing I don't here you guys talking about is that floro sinks and mono floats. That the only reason I use the floro is to get my lure to run deeper. When anything top water or fishing structure I use mono.
I always used mono leaders for all my inshore fishing. I figured the flounder, weakfish, and blues arent leaders shy enough for it to matter. Offshore tuna chunking we always used flouro because they can be extremely leader shy. Who knows if it made a difference with getting bites. I do know we lost some fish to extended fights when you are fighting a +100 lb bluefin on a 30lb leader.
I use an FG exclusively for braid to mono. I've watched all of the abrasion teat videos. The first time I ever tried fluorocarbon in the early 2000s I noticed it did not have the abrasion resistance of mono right away. My question is how does that abrasion resistance advantage translate to cut resistance when it comes to toothy critters?
Just curious on your guys opinion, is it okay to use a loop knot on a jig head for live shrimp? Sometimes I go out I throw a little bit of live shrimp then throw some artificial. Then I can just take off the shrimp and throw on a soft plastic and already have the loop knot and jig head tied on. Or is a snug not better for live bait? I should also note where I fish has a TON of snags so getting snagged and breaking off is a regular occurrence. I use light braid so using a loop knot would allow me to only break off my hook/ jig head and keep my leader. Also was curious if a loop knot can be used with a circle hook
traditionally you want to try and use a snug knot for live bait, but if the loop knot is small enough it wont have too much of an adverse effect. You should be just fine! 💪
Awesome video! Huge question ⁉️..I have had what I consider very good fisherman look at me like I have 2 heads when I do this....if I'm out fishing with what I have and decide to target smaller species..... I will tie on a smaller leader than my main line. Is this ok? Say a 20# braid to a 14# leader!??. I have seen heads explode over this...is that ok or not?
back in my trout fishing days in the high Sierras, when bait fishing I used 4lb main line and a 1/2 to 1lb leader. It was a must given water clarity and the odd wary-aggressive nature of trout. To be honest I've never worried about leaders for surf fishing. Typically I'd use 20lb just out of habit. Oh, back then braid was only found in 1000yrd spools and it was huge diameter for sharks, tuna and such. It didn't exist for us mere mortal fisherfolk.
@@rkw221 thanks rkw. I remember my Sierra Nevada trout fishing days as well. Was some of the most adventurous and fun fishing ever! I also know exactly what you're talking about with that woven (braided) shark line as well. Kinda before my time but I have seen plenty of it up in old-timers places in Montauk NY for shark fishing. Pretty cool stuff! Thank you
Fluorocarbon is only truly necessary if you wanted some kind of advantage based on the qualities that it has and that is the lack of stretch. So fluor is definitely needed when you're doing slow pitch jigging versus mono. Mono has too much stretch for slow pitch jigging. But for everything else mono is the way to go. Also mono line floats so it's great for top water but to get a bait down low not so much. Fluorocarbon sinks so it's better to get in your baits down quicker. It just depends on what you're doing.
I settled on 20lb mono leader line.ido believe fluorocarbon line is an advantage in clear water up north for walleye fishing.i like the fg knot but my problem with it if it's not tied just right it can fail
If Im using 15# braid (inshore redfish,trout,flounder) should I tie on a 15# leader? Or a #20 lb leader? Ive seen many people go up slightly in pounds for their leader. Whats the protocol there?
Surf fishing for my 10ft rod for larger fish on a drop rig is 50lb braid main and a rig test depends on season and what fish are around (anywhere from 20lb to 50lb... My 2nd rod for pompano or whiting I have 20lb braid main and a 15/20lb rig set-up.... Thats the rule here in Florida for the most part... For instance, here in summer (inshore) we have tons of massive snook, there is always a good chance you're gonna hook 1 so the minimum setup is 20lb braid main and 30lb liter, period... You can use 20lb liter but if you hook a big snook HE GONE... right now it's winter and snook are gone, it mostly trout so my rod has 20lb braid 10lb liter and I take it easy and land all of them...
@@theloosemoose8200 My question came to my concern when a uni knot is used it can damage the eyelets. Recently dropped off a rod for repair for two eyelets! And that wasn't the first time. This is why I am here. Ive been using the same setup like I said above but sometimes with 17lb mono for about 15 years. My target fish are Pompano, Reds, Whiting. The person who showed me this meaning ( mono on the main with a 65 lb braid shocker leader with a 30lb mono rig) is a very very popular surf fisherman and don't want to use his name. I had casting lessons with him when I first started surf fishing. I tried braid as my main line and really didn't like because of getting tangled and then I have a mess. I am honestly second guessing myself and just trying to get tips from other anglers. There are no rules! not to be a smart ass. The only advantage is see with my setup is a shock leader that helps release some of the stress for the line or rod. I reside in Jacksonville!!
@@crazycomments8038 at no point is a knot ever going through my rod guides on any set-up used... I fish 365 days a year and have tried everything in the book..trust me when I tell you, the only time I would allow a knot through my guides is when trolling deep sea and my liter needs to be LONG, but that set-up is not being cast.. Edit * I also didn't like braid as my main for the same reason years ago but all brand braid is different and the reel it's being use on makes a huge difference also... Once I found the braid I like and played nice with my conventional reel I never looked back...I can cannon launch my surf rod blindfolded...I went through every brand braid they sell to get thing dialed.. I know you say there aren't "rules" but there kind of is... Sure, a person can do whatever they'd like but they'll also be replacing things like guides because as a "rule" knots NEVER go through guides...
I'd like to see you test regular mono fishing line for leader's instead of mono leader material. Do you have to buy leader or can you settle for ande or big game or some off brand Walmart fishing line. I've used both. Can't say it's made that much of a difference.
I use 30lb braid for inshore and for surf fishing. With 20lb leader mono leader inshore and 30lb mono leader for surf. Would you consider that over kill? I’m wondering if I can drop down to 20lb braid inshore. Just don’t want it to dig in the spool.
Thanks for the question. Please check out the full blog on our website at bit.ly/3uE2aLR. You can post the question there and our fishing coaches can respond directly!
OK, so dumb question here: I always used thin, black, steel leaders back in the day when ground fishing for flounder/fluke. What's wrong with those? I'm newly retired and just getting back into the game. Thanks!
The only floro I get is the Super Strong Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon Clear Fishing Line. It’s thin and invisible to the human eye. I was sold on that alone lol
Yes we have videos on both of those questions! You can find some of the videos here on RU-vid, or you can find our full collection on our site at www.saltstrong.com
Thanks to Luke I use the FG, tied from the 2nd finger from the pinky, my #1 salt or fresh water fishing knot, followed by the No-name, or Alberto. With all the micro guides the DU is a problem.
Thanks for your question! Make sure to ask this over on the actual blog or in the Community where the coaches spend their time. The blog can be found here: bit.ly/3uE2aLR
We cover spots from Texas to Virginia with weather and tides available all over the US. Our tips and tactics can be used most anywhere to fish, email us at fish@saltstrong.com if you have any questions we can help with!
@@Saltstrong thanks, your podcast talking about specializing really changed the game for me. I was catching lots of fish, lots and lots of fish, but I was always going thru 3-5 lures at a spot before I found the one. Now I just put a couple in my pocket and have a few more in a couple boxes as extras in my backpack and I change retrieves on one til I get the bite going from most low key slow retrieve to most aggressive before I put a different lure on. But I find now it really doesn’t matter they’ll bite on anything once you get em riled up. Thanks, from the Olympic peninsula
Leaders are an integral part of flyfishing. They deserve more attention in spinning. Thank you. fluorocarbons in ski wax is so bad for the environment that it's now forbidden in my country. I guess fluorocarbons will be identified as non sustainable in sport fishing too. Somebody will know better.
OMG.... I watched your leader videos and ordered and rigged 30#. So, I'm just so?????? In the river, Mangroves, trees, rocks.... and no bites that I can pull.
Head over to the full blog on our website and post there. That way, Joe and team can respond back directly with some input. You can find that here: www.saltstrong.com/articles/fishing-leader-line-mistakes/
If line is as strong as it's weakest link then why would we hook weaker to stronger or vice versa? If the leader line doesn't break, and it's nessary, then us M/FC as the fishing line itself. I understand steal leaders for sharks, etc... but is it nessary for everything? If the fish your hunting is dumb or hungry enough to bite a fake lure... odds are your good with striaght braid, no?
Thank you for your question! We have a massive library of fishing tips on our website along with a search feature to let you quickly filter down to find help you're looking for, so just go to www.saltstrong.com/ and use the Search feature in the top menu.
Different knots for different situations. If you have specific questions about using the FG, please check out the blog and post there. You can find that here: www.saltstrong.com/articles/fishing-leader-line-mistakes/
@@Saltstrong i picked that up later on in the video lol i dont think i will be using them anymore either had a massive Cat smack my line on a giant gold fish only to have the Swivel break half way reeled in... would have been the biggest one i have caught yet
Thanks for your question! Make sure to ask this over on the actual blog or in the Community where the coaches spend their time. The blog can be found here: bit.ly/3uE2aLR
