The San Diego Jam is a tuna-fishing knot out of California that you can tie with a single strand or a doubled strand, and in this test the double came out stronger. Tied straight to the swivel with Daiwa J-Braid 30 pound braid, the single broke at 26.91 pounds and the double at 30.93, just over 100 percent. In this How 2 Tuesday I tie both versions step by step and put them on the machine to settle which is stronger.
Listen now: press play in the player above and follow along.
In this test the double San Diego Jam was stronger. Using Daiwa J-Braid 30 pound test braid tied straight to the swivel, the single San Diego Jam broke at 26.91 pounds and the double broke at 30.93 pounds. The double came in just over 100 percent of the line rating, so doubling the line over before you tie the knot gave it a little more strength. Both are excellent connections, but if you want every bit of strength, the double is the winner in this test.
The San Diego Jam came out of California for big game tuna fishing and it has taken the country by storm. It is one of the most important and strongest knots we use for tying line to a swivel, lure, or hook. Bass fishermen are using it, saltwater fishermen are using it, it is being used all over. You can tie it with a single strand or with a doubled strand, and both versions are strong, reliable connections to terminal tackle.
Run a single line through your swivel or lure and hold the lure in your right hand. With your left hand, make a loop around your middle finger and keep it there, then wrap the tag end around both strands of line about ten times. That leaves a loop right at the swivel, like a clinch knot. Pass the tag end through that loop, pull your finger out and pass the tag through the finger loop, then pull tight with the standing line, snug it down hard with pliers, and trim at the knot.
Double the line over and run the doubled line through the swivel or lure. Hold the lure in your right hand and wrap the doubled line around your middle finger just like the single. Then wrap the doubled line around all four strands, leaving a loop next to the swivel. Pass the doubled line through that loop, remove your finger, and pass the tag through. Pull down slowly on the standing line, then tighten both standing lines really tight with pliers and cut the correct tag end, or you start over.
Pliers let you cinch the knot down really, really tight, which is where this knot gets its strength. A knot will slip before it breaks, so getting it as tight as possible while you are still in the boat is what makes it strong. On both the single and double you snug the wraps with the standing line first, then finish by pulling everything down hard with pliers before you trim the tag end right at the knot.
I tested both versions with Daiwa J-Braid 30 pound test braid tied straight to the swivel, with no leader in between, so the comparison was apples to apples. The single broke at 26.91 pounds and the double at 30.93 pounds. Because the double exceeded the 30 pound rating, it tested just over 100 percent. You can get the results of this test and every knot test we run in the free knot guide linked from the episode.
The San Diego Jam came out of California for big fish like tuna and it has gone all the way across the country, with bass and saltwater fishermen using it everywhere. You can tie it single or double, and the question I get is which one is actually stronger. Rather than guess, I tied both and put them on the scale. I walk through the whole comparison in the episode, so press play in the player above.
Here are the steps I follow for both versions and the test that settles it. I cover the details in the episode.
I unpack each step in the episode. Press play in the player above.
A knot will slip before it breaks every time, so the whole game is getting it as tight as you possibly can while you are still in the boat. That is why I finish both the single and the double by cinching everything down hard with pliers before I trim. I explain exactly how tight and where in the episode, so press play in the player above.
With Daiwa J-Braid 30 pound braid straight to the swivel, the single broke at 26.91 pounds and the double broke at 30.93, giving the double just a little more strength at just over 100 percent. I break down what that means for your rig in the episode, so press play in the player above.
Both San Diego Jams are strong, dependable connections, but if you want every last bit of strength, double the line over before you tie it.
Either way, cinch it down hard with pliers and always cut the right tag end. Press play in the player above.
How 2 Tuesday is my weekly series where I break down one fishing skill at a time, from knots and casting to gear, tactics, and the habits that make you a better angler. Watch and listen to every How 2 Tuesday episode from Tom Rowland.
San Diego Jam knot · double San Diego Jam · Daiwa J-Braid · tuna fishing · bass fishing · swivel connection · Danco pliers · Star brite · Nikon · How 2 Tuesday · Saltwater Experience
I'm Tom Rowland, a professional fishing guide based in the Florida Keys, host of the Tom Rowland Podcast, and the longtime host of the Saltwater Experience television show. On the podcast's How 2 Tuesday series I break down one practical skill or lesson at a time, from fishing technique and gear to the habits that make you a better angler, in short, focused episodes you can put to use right away.
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