San Diego Jam Knot-Help!

[TonkaKid]

Have been tying the san diego jam knot since going to flurocarbon with my all my rods and have had no problems. Began using it on spinning tackle in 8 and 10 pound test and ocasionally when cinching down and getting everything tight the line will break where the tag end base meets the knot. I wet the line and normally pull on the main line to cinch it down and then tighten up the tag end. Have tried cinching the tag first and and the tightening everything else up and also tried running it through the upper loop different ways and nothing seems to work. Use gamma edge and this problem is happening with 8 80 percent of the time and occasionally with the 10. I am guessing this is a line diameter deal where it is cutting into itself but had always heard the san diego jam was great for flurocarbon. Also, i know it is not a bad spool because I can tie a palomar and the line strength is great. Never had a problem until i switch to the lighter pound test. Any similar experiences or solutions for me. Thanks.

[tunaman]

I prefer the uni knot, but to each their own.

I use the SD Jam on all my saltwater connections over 60# test, and be sure to pull down the tag end first, followed by the standing line.
Hasn't failed me on the bigger fish (yet).

Roger

[GKramer]

Since we can't see the actual knot you're tying, we're guessing as to a cure. What usually happens with thin 8 or 10-pound is it does not lay as nicely as 40-pound mono, so yes, the line is cutting itself. But that, no offense, is pretty much the fault of the guy tying the knot.

A contributing problem is the number of turns you are using could be working to create a greater chance for a crossed line somewhere in your wraps. Deckhands say 7 wraps with 40- to 80-pound. With skinny line, 5 to 6 max will consistently have fewer failures.

Hey, nobody ties a winner every time, that's why we yank on them.
I leave a longer tag on thin line because stuff happens. But if you start this knot right, it usually ends right. And unlike the Palomar, it comes out the same whether you are right or left handed.

Just looking at the tying process, you'll want (as I'm sure you know) to see that the tag line emerges in the same direction as the main line. The key to the knot strength with the jam knot is the forces are on top of the wraps which serve as a cushion, not on the bottom as with the clinch and its many variations.

I don't know your brand of line, but you have correctly assessed, it's not the problem.

[SoCalBassAssassin]

I personally have had absolutely no problems with the Palomar knot. I use it with all my spinner baits, and have never had it fail on me.. However I might just be lucky..

[mark poulson]

I use the Palomar, too, and don't have any problems, unless I totally screw up the knot as I'm pulling it down (operator error), usually in the wind.
It's easy to see that when it happens, and I just cut it off and retie it.
I think it may have to do with the brand of flourocarbon you use.
Since I switched to Bass Pro a few years ago, I dont have any problems.
I don't know about other brands except Sunline, which I used before Bass Pro.
I've found that the Bass Pro doesn't abade as easily, and doesn't break when kinked, as the Sunline did.
That may have something to do with why the Palomar works with it.
Not a knock on Sunline. I used it for several years, and caught a lot of nice fish with it. I switched for price only. I was just happily surprised when I found the Bass Pro more forgiving of my errors.

[SoCalBassAssassin]

Actually I have been using braided line for the past 2 seasons, and I can tie any know without worring about it slipping, or kinking. I also like to fact that I can use a 20 lb braid that is the same diameter as 6lb mono. The braid doesn't stretch either. I am trying it on my spinning gear this year also. It casts really well, and doesn't have memory loops yet. I will know more after using it a whole season though. The Palomar works outstandingly well with braid...

[wccjanel]

Palomar is an awesome knot. If you are having no troubles with it, then stick with it.
When splicing, use a Uni-over-Uni, never a Uni-to-Uni. The jam knot can be better with bigger lines than the Uni, but I (personally) like to keep it simple. The less knots you have to memorize, the better you get at tying them.
I used to get upset whenever I'd test a knot and it broke, now I realize that it's better to break line on the deck than on a fish.
Keep It Simple Simon

Peace,
James

[mark poulson]

I agree James. Better in the boat than at the boat!

[DAKINE198]

what is the difference on a uni-over -uni and uni-to-uni?

[wccjanel]

what is the difference on a uni-over -uni and uni-to-uni?

I'm no artist, but I hope this helps:
http://www.thefishicon.com/helpful-tips-and-hints/

Hope this helps explain where my limited language skills fail me.

Best to ya,
James

[SoCalBassAssassin]

Looks sort of like a blood knoto to me..

[tunaman]

Interesting... never have seen what you refer to as 'uni-to-uni' before, but what you refer to as 'uni-over-uni' is what has always been "uni-to-uni" to me... also, same with every illustration I've ever seen of the uni-to-uni. No matter... you say tomato, I say tomato...!

I've been using the uni since it's inception, and it is a great knot. I use it almost exclusively on the salt, and now on the fresh, and it has been extremely reliable.

Roger

[hippie]

i have your back tunaman. ihaven't had a break at the knot since i switched to the uni. palomari won't garantee , uni wins myvote and easier when tying bigger baits