I made a glide bait about the same size as a River2sea S-waver 168 (6.5 inches) over the winter. Unfortunately the places I can fish are not the best bass fishing. I average about 1 fish every time I go fishing and rarely break the 2 pound mark. The biggest fish I have could was a 4 pound bass on a small glide bait. 

 

My question is in your experience does a bait the size of a S-waver 168 still produce a decent amount of smaller fish? Or with a fishery like this am I going to spend all my time grinding away just to catch 1 decent size fish?

Yes, 12" fis will attacka bait that size no problem.

If I could even begin to count the number of fish under 2lbs I've caught on bigger baits than a 168, I would guess it's in the thousands.

If a bass thinks he can fit his face around a bait, he's going to try, their instincts make them do it.

Fish don't have mirrors, they have no idea how big they are, or aren't.

My rats catch numbers and size........  I always have a big surface or swimmer tied on

It does happen, no doubt. However, tossing swimbaits is still not a high percentage presentation, in my opinion. Besides, the older I get the more enjoyment I get out of catching decent bass on lighter tackle. But that's just me.