River2Sea S-Waver

[NorthernBasser]

Hi guys. I've been wanting to get one of these tot try out. The sliding motion looks amazing from videos I've seen. And compared to other glide baits, the price isn't too bad.

 

Anybody use them? Size preference? Color>

 

I can't decide between the 4 3/4" and the 6 3/4". 6 3/4" seems pretty big, but I've also read a few reviews that the 4 3/4" sinks much faster, which is a little of a turnoff. 

 

I live in WI where a 5 lb bass is a nice bass. I imagine the 6 3/4" would be the way to go if you lived in CA, FL etc. But how about in the midwest? Sure, I wanna catch "bigger" fish. But I also wanna catch numbers with the bait, if you know what I mean,

[5by3]

I’d personally get the 160 size. The small ones (12 in) still viciously attack it and it gives you a larger profile for those big girls. 

 

I only own one one and it’s the lite trout color. Works here in Ohio and my local bodies of water don’t even have trout in them.

[Angry John]

The 168 is the best compromise.  Large enough to move water and still have a good glide width but not monster big.  You can throw it on a heavy with no issues.  My lamiglas 735 and my st Croix 74h both throw it great.

[NorthernBasser]

Thanks guys! Added the 168 to my cart. Bluegill color. 

[Angry John]

Caught an over 6 in that color in tn.  The old not the new.  In clear I like I know it

[Brett's_daddy]

168 is the way to go! Get Perch or Lite Trout...both those colors get smashed!!!

[Bluebasser86]

Get the 168 or 200 in bone or lite trout. 

[GoneFishingLTN]

On 3/5/2018 at 5:44 PM, Angry John said:

The 168 is the best compromise.  Large enough to move water and still have a good glide width but not monster big.  You can throw it on a heavy with no issues.  My lamiglas 735 and my st Croix 74h both throw it great.

 

Does a heavy rod not cause problems with the trebles? I have a 7 foot 6” skeet Reese rod heavy cover I was thinking of using but heard it would be to stiff. 

[fishwizzard]

2 hours ago, GoneFishingLTN said:

 

Does a heavy rod not cause problems with the trebles? I have a 7 foot 6” skeet Reese rod heavy cover I was thinking of using but heard it would be to stiff. 

I throw the 168 on a XH/M rod and have managed to land two rainbow trout that were either trying to eat or mate with the s-waver.  The stock hooks are pretty beefy and dont seem to rip out even with the XH rod and a fish too small to realy load it. 

[gilkeybr]

I have a 168 and a 200.  Like previously stated I have caught bass in the 1.5lb range on the 168.  Mine is in the I Know It color, which I think is a good compromise of a color for various bait fish.  I did a couple "mods" that I read about:  Filing the trailing edge of the front half of the hinge to allow for increased range of motion and added a split ring to the front.  I don't have other glide baits to compare to, but it seems to make nice wide turns

 

The 200 feels gigantic.  I have only fished it a couple hours so far and haven't had any luck yet.  Hoping to get lucky this spring!

[Angry John]

8 hours ago, GoneFishingLTN said:

 

Does a heavy rod not cause problems with the trebles? I have a 7 foot 6” skeet Reese rod heavy cover I was thinking of using but heard it would be to stiff. 

The trebles are large and I have not had an issue.  You could run a more moderate rod but your hook set will need to be a lot more.

[Chance_Taker4]

When is the best time to use these? I have quite a few 168s in various colors and never caught a fish with them. I have never caught a fish with any hard body swimbait.

[NorthernBasser]

Anybody have issues with the back treble hook getting caught up on the tail of the lure? I've seen a handful of reviews mentioning this. 

[Brett's_daddy]

I only got to throw mine a few times near the end of the season last year but I didn't have any trouble. Mt setup is a iRod Fiber, 7'5" Fred's Magic Stick, H/F and my reel is  Daiwa Tatula CT Type-R 8.1:1 with 50lb. Sunline FX2 braid. The 168 looks AWESOME in the water...you swear it's a real fish!!!

[5by3]

I’m curious if your s-wavers sink at all or fish more like a wake bait? Mine seems to run only about 1’ under the surface in what I feel like is a slow retrieve.

[Brett's_daddy]

36 minutes ago, 5by3 said:

I’m curious if your s-wavers sink at all or fish more like a wake bait? Mine seems to run only about 1’ under the surface in what I feel like is a slow retrieve.

That's what mine does too, that's what they are supposed to do. You aren't supposed to burn them, just a slow and steady retrieve with a few twitches mixed in to snap the bait around to face any potential pursuers (I've heard this is when a lot of strikes occur as Bass like to eat the heads of fish).

[Angry John]

Mine run a few inches to a foot below depending on the line.  Haven't caught a ton but just a steady standard retrieve worked best.  The spring and fall are considered prime time for these baits.  The larger fish may only be that shallow once a year to spawn and then be gone.

[flyingmonkie]

Just bought my second 168 the other day.  Love it, and hoping to get some fat pre-spawners on it.

 

FYI, you can get them shipped on eBay for $16.99 - not bad.

[Angry John]

That's where I picked up my last two batches and the price of the 200 is way cheaper there.

[Bluebasser86]

9 hours ago, Chance_Taker4 said:

When is the best time to use these? I have quite a few 168s in various colors and never caught a fish with them. I have never caught a fish with any hard body swimbait.

They start to work best for me when the water temp is above 50 and will work at any point in between. I had some pretty good success with them but sold all mine once I tried a Shine Glide 185. Similar price, but much better glide imo. 

[gilkeybr]

For me they work as another application when you could also fish top water or a shallow running crank.  I have had success on both a steady retrieve as well as when I worked them like a walking bait.  

 

I was nervous of my 168 when I bought it.  When I tied it on for the first time, I pitched it out 15ft to see what the action and swim cadence looked like.  Believe it or not, I got hit by a fish on that first retrieve!  I've never hesitated to throw the 168 since then!

[Baz.]

Compared to the 120 does the 168 have better action? 120 wasn't terrible in any way but I'm not all that impressed with the control of the glide. Seems almost to easily interrupted. Though very well could just be the heavy rod and 50 lb braid isnt what it wants... Still looking for a good glide bait. Everyone seems to be talking about the 168 though so I'm curious if I should give it a try.

[Brett's_daddy]

2 hours ago, Baz. said:

Compared to the 120 does the 168 have better action? 120 wasn't terrible in any way but I'm not all that impressed with the control of the glide. Seems almost to easily interrupted. Though very well could just be the heavy rod and 50 lb braid isnt what it wants... Still looking for a good glide bait. Everyone seems to be talking about the 168 though so I'm curious if I should give it a try.

I don't have any experience with the 120 size but the 168 size works great on a heavy rod with 50lb. braid...that's my setup exactly and it looks so real swimming back in that it's hard to believe it's a lure...lol.

[Bluebasser86]

16 hours ago, Baz. said:

Compared to the 120 does the 168 have better action? 120 wasn't terrible in any way but I'm not all that impressed with the control of the glide. Seems almost to easily interrupted. Though very well could just be the heavy rod and 50 lb braid isnt what it wants... Still looking for a good glide bait. Everyone seems to be talking about the 168 though so I'm curious if I should give it a try.

The 120 is barely a glide bait, it's so small that it is very difficult to work properly. The 168 is much better if you're using it as a glide bait with intermittent pauses. I personally like the Shine Glide much better than the S-Waver, even the little size Shine Glide has a very nice glide and is only a 5" bait. 

[fishwizzard]

21 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

The 120 is barely a glide bait, it's so small that it is very difficult to work properly. The 168 is much better if you're using it as a glide bait with intermittent pauses. I personally like the Shine Glide much better than the S-Waver, even the little size Shine Glide has a very nice glide and is only a 5" bait. 

If you still have one of each, I would love to see a S-Waver 168 next to the larger Shine Glide.  The Shine looks a ton taller than the 168, which makes me leery of it.  I get enough 1-2lb bass on the 168 that I worry that a taller bait might not let them really get it in their mouths.