Jackall Gantarel Jr. vs. R2S S-Waver 168

[Brett's_daddy]

Okay, I've locked in on one of these two baits for a Fall swimbait. These are the weight limit that my rod can handle so please don't suggest anything larger...it just won't work. The Gantarel Jr. I can get for $28.99 shipped while the S-Waver I can get for $16 shipped. Which one do you prefer and why? I would love to get some points of view from people who own or at least have fished with both for an honest perspective. Thanks all who reply!!!

[MassYak85]

I have not tried the Gantarel Jr., just the standard version so if someone who has both wants to chime in on any differences that would be great, but I have the s-waver 168. The Gantarel doesn't have as wide of a glide as the S-waver, it's definitely a different action on a slow retrieve. BUT I feel like the Gantarel offers more when it comes to triggering fish to bite. The "180" turn you hear often where you can make the lure spin around to look at a follower is really nice with the gantarel, and I've gotten mine to do full 360's where it will do a sharp 180 and then the momentum will slowly carry it back to facing forward again. I also like it better for faster retreives, it just seems more stable and I snag the hooks on my line less often than with the s-waver which will sometimes roll a little bit when twitched. But the gantarel has stabilizing fins so that's probably why. The gantarel also has the option to be a wakebait since it has two different line tie options. The S-waver I like to fish a little slower and use the reel to let it glide out to one side and give it some slack. It can also be "walked" underwater with some well timed rod twitches. 

 

IMO if you are going to be fishing slower and just lazily gliding it along I would go with the S-Waver. If you are going to be fishing faster or trying to trigger more aggressive fish I might go with the gantarel. I probably wouldn't directly compare them (I know, I just tried to, but still) because I feel they do have different actions. 

 

 

[Ktho]

The S-waver is probably more applicable in more situations. It's a shad, trout, baby bass, etc. it's a more versatile baitfish imo and if you fish a variety of lakes with typical forage species it's the better option imo. If you fish a lot of smaller ponds/lakes that lack normal forage species and mostly just have panfish then the Ganterel Jr. would be the better option although even still the S-Waver would be right there. Bluegill baits for me get used around bedding season a lot and into early summer and year round in the lakes with mainly bluegill/sunfish and no shad, silversides, shiners etc. S-waver is a year round swimbait and that profile is a way more common profile than a gill shape. 

[Bluebasser86]

I've owned both and prefer the S Waver by a wide margin. A Savage Gear Shine Glide is in the same price range and has outproduced both of those though. 

[Comfortably Numb]

Gantarel Jr sank way to slow for me.

[Primus]

I prefer the S waver over the Ganteral, that said I find that the toothy critters really like the Ganteral .

[TyF]

I have both and personally like the swaver better for colder water and the gantaral jr for warmer water. The slow side to side action of the swaver can not be beat in fall, winter, and spring. I have had some amazing days on the swaver. The gantaral shines in ponds and during summer months. One significant difference that is worth mentioning is the gantarel floats and is almost like a crankbait with the side fins being the reason it dives at all. You can only get it down 3-4 ft. The swaver sinks slowly allowing you to count it down and fish deeper points more effectively. Hope this helps.

[webertime]

S-Waver and the aforementioned shine glide.

[Brett's_daddy]

Thanks for all of the helpful info and suggestions. I ended up putting the Ganatrel Jr. on the wish list for next season and decided to give BOTH the R2S S-Waver 168 and the Savage Gear 3D Shine Glide 5-1/4" a try for this Fall. I ended up getting the S-Waver in Yellow Perch and the Shine Glide in Threadfin Shad. Wish me luck!!!

 

 

[webertime]

Get a bottle of clear nail polish and give the Perch a good coat.  The finish on the Perch is pretty delicate.   Good choices though!

[Brett's_daddy]

2 hours ago, webertime said:

Get a bottle of clear nail polish and give the Perch a good coat.  The finish on the Perch is pretty delicate.   Good choices though!

Yup, I have a bottle of the clear Hard as Nails that i will put on it.