If you’ve ever gone to cinch the knot on a San Diego Jam Knot and it doesn’t cinch smoothly, I’ve found that adding a simple step prevents that from happening:

 

 

Before you pass the end between the lines as shown in the picture, release your hold from the first loop, and instead just hold the main line. If there is any twist at this point, the line is now free to untwist itself. Then carry on with the knot as you would normally. This will produce a smooth-cinching knot every time.

 

I’ve found that when these knots don’t cinch smoothly, they are more likely to fail under heavy load. I’ve been using this knot for a few years and finally just figured this out. I’ve never seen it mentioned in instructions.

 

I’ve been doing this for a couple weeks, and it seems to work very well. I’m using 10# mono, I don’t know how well it would work with heavier line. It might unravel when you release your hold from the loop.

Agreed - I use my second hand to hold the end of the wrapped lines away from the wrapped stack while the knot settles (so the wraps don’t untavel), then put it through the bottom loop. It only takes a couple seconds for the bait to align properly, then through the two holes/loops and cinch - I don’t even wet the knot anymore unless the line is brand new.

Using a lure for weight or adding a weight to your hook makes tying the SD Jam knot easy. Just use the lure or weight to holg the double line down and swing the lure in a circle wrapping the line down the doubled line. Put the tag end through the lower loop, hold the main above the upper loop and insert the tag end through. Simply snug up the knot with the tag end forming the Jam knot, pull the main line sliding the knot down and clinch tight.

Tom

28 minutes ago, WRB said:

Just use the lure or weight to holg the double line down and swing the lure in a circle wrapping the line down the doubled line.

 

You lost me there, but verbal descriptions alone of how to tie knots have always been difficult for me to follow.

 

 

19 minutes ago, fin said:

 

You lost me there, but verbal descriptions alone of how to tie knots have always been difficult for me to follow.

 

 

Look at your illustration with the lure hanging by the double line. When you start to wrap the tag end line down double line the motion creates the lure to swing, the swinging lure the complete the number of wraps (usually 7). Agree a video would be clear.

Tom 

On 8/19/2023 at 5:57 PM, Team9nine said:

Agreed - I use my second hand to hold the end of the wrapped lines away from the wrapped stack while the knot settles (so the wraps don’t untavel), then put it through the bottom loop.

 

Since you mentioned this, I've noticed that if you pull on the tag end very gently while holding the loop with your other hand, it seems to pull out any twist, so you don't have to wait for it to straighten itself. And like you said, no danger of unraveling.

 

I've just started doing this, so I may be wrong, but so far it's worked well.

If you skip the last step you will have the Pitzen.  It is easier, faster, and just as strong.  By the way 5 wraps is enough.

wait.  dont you take the tag end and go back thru the loop where your thumb is?

45 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

wait.  dont you take the tag end and go back thru the loop where your thumb is?

For an SDJ - yes. 
For a Pitzen - no.