Here are my hints for jars.
Only finger tight. Hold the jar with one hand, twist the top only until it resists. Don’t crank it down tight. It has to be able to let air out. Water doesn’t get in at this tightness.
Make sure the jar outside is CLEAN. That includes the threads and the top edge of the jar. The lid should not touch the contents.
I use a combination of very long tongs and a slotted spoon to get them out. I cannot grip the tongs tightly enough to lift them reliably. I get the spoon under as soon as possible and do the lifting with that and the tongs for guidance.