ABT Lures S-Glide 7" & 9" vs Gan Craft Jointed Claw 178 Glide Bait

The two baits both fall into the glide-bait category, but their action is meaningfully different in how they move, how much water they cover, and how you fish them.

1) ABT Lures S-Glide 7" & 9"

Action: side-to-side glide
Sink rate: slow sink
Best feel: a wider, more sweeping glide with sharp turns

The ABT S-Glide is designed to make a pronounced left-right sweep with a sharp turn radius. That means when you twitch or pull it, it changes direction decisively and then glides back across the water in a broad, lateral movement. It’s built to look like a baitfish that is wandering, turning, or trying to escape. Because it’s a slow-sinking bait, it stays in the strike zone longer and can be worked through the middle of the water column with pauses.

This action is especially good when bass are suspended or holding around points, docks, grass edges, and open-water cover. The bait’s movement is more about a smooth, controlled sweep than a tight, rolling swim. It tends to shine when you want to trigger a reaction bite from bigger fish that key in on a bait making obvious directional changes.

What that means in practice:

• More dramatic side-to-side movement
• Better for anglers who want a bait that “glides away” from the target
• Best when worked slowly with pauses and twitches
• Requires more timing and practice to get the cadence right

2) Gan Craft Jointed Claw 178

Action: glide with a pronounced S-curve
Sink rate: floating version listed here
Best feel: a more continuous, flowing “snake-like” path

The Jointed Claw is famous for its S-shaped swimming action. Instead of making a big sweeping turn and then resetting, it tends to move in a more flowing, continuous curve. On a steady retrieve, it tracks in a smooth S-pattern that looks very lifelike, almost like a baitfish cruising naturally rather than darting hard from side to side.

Because this version is floating, it behaves differently from the ABT. It sits higher in the water and can be worked more subtly, especially in open water or around shallow targets. The floating design also makes it easier to keep in the strike zone above cover or to pause and let it hang near the surface before resuming the retrieve.

What that means in practice:

• Smoother, more natural-looking swim path
• Less “sweep and slash,” more “glide and flow”
• Better for a steady retrieve and subtle presentation
• Floating version is useful when you want to fish shallower or keep the bait above cover

Key difference in the action

If you want the simplest distinction:

• ABT S-Glide: more of a wide, side-to-side sweep with sharper directional changes
• Gan Craft Jointed Claw: more of a smooth S-shaped flow with a more natural, continuous track

The ABT looks more like a baitfish making aggressive turns. The Gan Craft looks more like a baitfish cruising steadily and weaving.

Which is better for different scenarios?

Choose the ABT S-Glide if:

• You want a bigger, more aggressive glide
• Bass are relating to cover or structure and need a bait that cuts side to side
• You like working baits with pauses and twitches
• You’re targeting larger trophy bass in clearer water where a dramatic profile matters

Choose the Gan Craft Jointed Claw if:

• You want a more realistic, flowing swimming action
• You prefer a steady retrieve with less abrupt movement
• You’re fishing open water or shallower areas
• You want the option of a floating bait for more surface-oriented presentations

Overall

The ABT is the more punctuated, sweeping, reaction-style glide bait, while the Gan Craft is the more fluid, natural, S-curve glide bait. Both are expert-level baits, but the ABT leans toward a more forceful glide and the Gan Craft toward a more lifelike, continuous swim.

Bottom line: If you want a harder, wider side-to-side trigger bait, pick the ABT S-Glide. If you want a smoother, more natural S-curve action, pick the Gan Craft Jointed Claw 178.