Cool leader knot

No Kayaking this last weekend, but I did learn one thing new on my weekend out with family and guests power boating. 

I was shown a cool way to tie off braid to a heavy leader for halibut fishing.  I'll try to take some pics if there is interest, but here is how it basically goes.

1.  Take your 100# or 150# halibut mono terminal tackle, and on the free end melt a 'mushroom' onto the end. 
2.  Wrap about 14 turns of braid onto the mono as you move away from the mushroom.
3.  Hold the final loop firmly, and wrap 14 turns back to the mushroom
 - pull a bit, collapsing any excess in the loops, back towards the 'shroom end.
4.  Tie off the braid with 5 or 6 half-hitches on top of the mono, before the 'shroom head
5.  Pull tight again

I fished for 6 hours on this 'knot'.  It held just fine, but one or more of the half hitches were starting to fray away toward the end.  That was after about 180lbs of halibut came up off that rig. 

What I like about it - NO HARDware.  There were no Halibut swivels to 'hinge' the line and reduce sensitivity between the pole tip and the jig or baits.   This was great for me when jigging halibut and hard jigs for other species. 

I have no idea what the knot is called, but I am a fan now.   I may have to see about using something like this in a lighter version when mooching/jigging salmon.   I hate the hinge effect that clips and swivels give at both sides of the sinker.   If I can minimize this on at least one side, I should increase sensitivity and hook-ups.

I might try it on Fluorocarbon.

Just for review purpose. Over used this set up for a year and has not failed in salt and fresh water used. I give it a ☆☆☆☆☆ review. It will be a permanent part of my rigging.
Thanks for the post Bob.

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Sounds like you're describing something similar to the FG knot, or a variation of it. 

I'll find a YouTube video of the way I tie it when I get home from work.  The method I use creates the "Chinese finger trap" as you go (each step adds one full braid, instead of wrapping 14 up and 14 down).  My preferred method also doesn't require a mushroom at the end of the mono, but you do need to pull test it before you clip the mono because the knot needs to slip a bit before it bites.

I started using this knot when I went to using a top shot of 40# hi-vix mono on my downrigger rod.  I had been putting my 30# braid mainline in my downrigger release, but the swivels on my flashers and leaders were transmitting all of the twist into the braid.  The 40# mono has enough resistance to twisting that all of the twist from my flashers and cut plugs stop at the swivels.  The FG knot between the braid main line and mono top shot goes through the guides and onto the reel like it isn't even there. 

I look forward to the Video.

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I've played with this knot a little. Honestly not my favorite... When tied right it's slim and strong, but it's a pain in the ass to tie sitting in my living room short of sprouting a third arm (insert penis joke here) much less when bobbing in a kayak. I've been using the Improved Albright the last 8'ish years, and I've yet to have it fail unless I screwed it up. When I do it pulls through when i try to tighten it, so it's been a good integrity check. Only downside I've found is you need to be wearing gloves or wrap your braid around something less fleshy than fingers when you pull it tight.

I usually fish with fireline 4lbs and fluorocarbon leader 8lbs and there is ~4 times difference in diameter. I have already tried hell bunch of knots, nothing works good enough

I haven't needed to retie one on the boat yet, but this technique would be manageable. I tie a small Surgeon's Loop into the end of the braid first so I have something to hold onto with my teeth.

jmbx2ditto, this knot was in that rig that I couldn't break off out at WG a couple weeks ago.  30# braid into 40# mono, had to cut it off. 


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Nice! I like that you can tie FG knot without a lighter to 'shroom the end of the leader.   Looks really similar when done.   Thx.

I've used the FG knot for a long time, it is simply awesome.  I go from 65lb braid to 30lb mono or fluorocarbon casting jigs and iron.  It sails through the guides, and after you tie a few it is pretty fast.