Tom Rowland | FG Knot vs. Double Uni: Which Is Stronger? | Tom Rowland Podcast Ep. 626

In Episode 626 of the Tom Rowland Podcast, host Tom Rowland settles one of fishing's most debated questions: which knot is stronger for connecting braid to fluorocarbon—the FG knot or the double uni with a Bimini twist? Using a Nextech force tester and identical 20-pound J-Braid to 50-pound fluorocarbon setups, Tom puts both knots through rigorous testing to crown a champion. The results might surprise you, especially if you've been relying on conventional wisdom about which connection is unbreakable. Tom reveals exactly how much force each knot withstood before failure, where the breaks occurred, and why the winner tested stronger than the braid's stated pound test. If you've ever wondered whether the extra time tying an FG knot is worth it, this episode delivers the data you need.

The Championship Matchup: FG Knot vs. Double Uni

This isn't the first round of Tom's bracket-style knot testing—it's the finals. The FG knot earned its spot by defeating the J knot in a surprisingly close matchup, while the double uni advanced after beating the slim beauty. Tom notes that the FG knot is "really everybody's favorite knot" and describes it as "not a knot, it's a weave, kind of" that weaves around the braid. He acknowledges it's outstanding for casting through guides and "probably the strongest knot." The double uni, meanwhile, has legions of devoted followers—Tom mentions fishing with "tons of people that don't tie anything but a double uni no matter what." But which connection actually holds more force before failure? Tom wraps the lines around his hand, zeros out the Nextech force tester, and starts pulling. Watch the championship test begin at 4:03.

Testing Protocol: Maintaining Consistency Across All Rounds

Tom is meticulous about his testing methodology, using identical materials across every knot in the bracket. He's working with 50-pound Daiwa fluorocarbon from the same spool and 20-pound Daiwa J-Braid times eight (x8) for every test, "maintaining consistency throughout." The Nextech force tester functions like a scale but registers the maximum poundage before the connection fails. Tom explains he wraps the line around his hand because he "fully expect[s] it's gonna be extremely hard to break." This isn't casual backyard testing—it's a controlled comparison designed to answer a question that anglers debate endlessly. The bracket format adds drama, but the science is sound. Hear Tom explain his complete testing setup at 0:32.

The FG Knot Result: Strong But Not Invincible

Tom tests the FG knot first, wrapping it securely around his hand and pulling with increasing force. The knot holds... holds... and then slips at 28.69 pounds. Tom notes this is "really good when you think about the fact that we're test[ing] this with 20 pound braid to 50 pound fluorocarbon"—the knot is testing higher than the stated pound test of the braid itself. He also mentions that in the previous week's testing, they had an FG knot test around 34 pounds, showing some variation depending on how the knot is tied. The FG knot's reputation as a casting champion remains intact—it's smooth, low-profile, and passes through guides beautifully. But does its strength match its popularity? Tom acknowledges the FG takes "a little longer to tie" and that "if it's super windy in the boat, maybe you don't wanna tie it." Now the double uni needs to beat 28.69 to claim the championship. The complete FG knot test runs from 4:03 to 4:44.

The Champion Revealed: Double Uni with Bimini Takes the Title

Tom wraps the double uni around his hand—this one features a Bimini twist before the double uni connection, effectively doubling the braid. The tension builds as he pulls: "pulling pulling pulling pulling pulling pulling." The line holds at 31... then breaks at 31.03 pounds. "That's interesting," Tom says, examining the failure point. He discovers something revealing: "This didn't break. It slipped off the... oh, it slipped off of the deal. One arm of the uni of the Bimini twist broke, and then it broke." The double uni wins the championship at 31.03 pounds versus the FG knot's 28.69—a significant margin. Tom processes the implications: "maybe it's just the way that I tie these knots, but the double uni with a bimini wins... as far as the scale tells you." He calls this "a good thing" because while he ties FG knots at home when prepping tackle, on the boat he tends toward the double uni because "it's a little bit easier... to tie, especially in the wind." The championship-winning test happens at 5:13.

Final Thoughts from Tom

I'll be honest—I expected the FG knot to win this matchup going in. It's the knot everyone talks about, the one with the reputation for being unbeatable. But the data doesn't lie, and the Nextech force tester gave us clear results: the double uni with a Bimini tested stronger at 31.03 pounds versus 28.69 for the FG.

What I found most interesting was examining where each knot failed. The double uni broke at the Bimini twist—one arm gave way first. The FG slipped. Both knots performed well above the stated pound test of the braid, which tells me you're in good shape with either one. But if I'm being tactical about it, the double uni gives me confidence when I'm retying on the water in less-than-perfect conditions.

This bracket series has been fun to put together, and the results have surprised me more than once. If you've been wondering whether the knot you're tying is costing you fish, this episode will give you the answers. Watch the full tests—seeing exactly how these knots behave under maximum load is worth your time.