Jason Schwartz Provides a Bass Fishing Advantage
This interview may not have happened if the much-criticized Facebook algorithm hadn’t been doing its job. As I scrolled, I recognized a picture of Elite Series pro Brandon Card, but the guy on the right was also a familiar face.
A was raised in an area where fishing wasn’t very popular, so at first I didn’t put two and two together, but I knew that Jason Schwartz looked familiar. I’d met Brandon Card at a dinner during a Bassmaster Elite Series tournament on the Potomac, but the only other people there were BASS personnel. Other than that, I would have no idea who Brandon’s friends were.
The pic bugged me, so I did more digging and figured out Jason and I had gone to high school together. We graduated a year apart. We didn’t know each other then, but I decided to friend him now. I thought he might similarly get a kick out of this encounter. I’m glad that I reached out. There is a lot more to Jason’s friendship (and tournament win) with Brandon than caught my eye.
HPFC: We grew up in what I don't consider much of a fishing community -- how did you get your start in the sport?
Jason Schwartz: Hanna, I agree not a lot of people fished up where we spent our childhood in the northern suburbs of Chicago. Most enjoyed other sports and activities back in the 70s.
I found my love of fishing, especially bass fishing, in the canals of South Miami. We had close family friends who I considered cousins that we visited every winter during Christmas break. They had a series of canals that ran through the back of their house. When I was 6 years old, I caught my very first bass with my cousin in the canal on a Dalton Special.
After that, I was hooked! I couldn’t get enough. I would watch as many fishing shows as I could -- Bill Dance Outdoors, Jerry McKinnis The Fishin’ Hole, Babe Winkelman’s Good Fishing, Fishing With Roland Martin, On the Water With Hank Parker, and Jimmy Houston Outdoors. I organized my tackle boxes monthly, and couldn’t wait to get a new lure, rod, or reel. And of course I waited impatiently for the next Bassmaster magazine to arrive.
HPFC: Did you have any fishing influences or mentors growing up?
Jason Schwartz: All the fishing TV hosts: Bill Dance, Roland Martin, Jimmy Houston, Jerry McKinnis, Babe Winkelman, and Hank Parker.
HPFC: Did you always work in the fishing industry?
Jason Schwartz: No, I owned a successful metal fabrication company called Laser Plus Technologies located in Elk Grove Village, IL (just outside Chicago). For 26 years it allowed me to provide for my family and give me the backing to start Advantage Bait Company.
HPFC: What was your path into the fishing industry? When, where and how did you come up with making baits?
Jason Schwartz: Funny, my path to the fishing industry was through my metal fabrication business. I came across this highly reflective machine etched aluminum material that I felt would make a fantastic spinnerbait blade. So, I laser cut out prototype willow blades in various sizes and created a rudimentary die set to form the blades. Then, I assembled a spinnerbait from various components you can purchase online. To me, it looked outstanding running though the water and I thought that bass would find it attractive as well.
My son Ryan and I had a guided fishing trip planned the following month at Lake Newton in Southern Illinois. He was young at the time, and the bass were up in the bushes. The pattern called for flipping and pitching jigs all day and for a 10-year-old that can be downright difficult, tedious, and boring. He needed something that would be easy to fish and keep him engaged. Chucking and winding a spinnerbait would do just that. He asked me if he could use the spinnerbait that I created. I said sure, give it a try. He tied it on and on his first cast he caught a bass. And the rest as they say, is history! I knew right then and there that I was going into the fishing tackle business. I patented the blade, changed the base material to brass, and called it Extreme Flash Technology.
HPFC: What is your company’s profile?
Jason Schwartz: Advantage Bait Company, founded in 2010, manufactures custom fishing lures and components for serious anglers looking for an Advantage over their competition. Our unique products are handcrafted and assembled in the USA. All our lures feature high-quality, high-end components that are second to none. Advantage baits are built to last and catch more fish!
HPFC: How did you pick the name?
Jason Schwartz: I felt like our products give you an Advantage over your competition.
HPFC: What distinguishes your products?
Jason Schwartz: Using high quality components, patented Extreme Flash Technology, paying attention to detail, and handmade in the USA.
HPFC: What are the most popular lures in your lineup?
Jason Schwartz:
HPFC: What's an underrated lure in your lineup?
Jason Schwartz: Top Chop Buzzbaits.
HPFC: Who are your typical customers?
Jason Schwartz: People who want a quality product that flat-out catches fish!
HPFC: Any particularly memorable experiences and catches with your products?
Jason Schwartz: That time my son caught a bass his first cast on Lake Newton with our prototype spinnerbait. It’s what made my decision to take by hobby to the next level.
HPFC: What about catches from others, including pros?
Jason Schwartz: I get multiple testimonials from our customers saying that our spinnerbaits out fish the guys in the front of the boat 4 to 1.
HPFC: How did you get hooked up with Brandon Card (or any other pros)?
Jason Schwartz: I met Brandon at ICAST back in 2018. He liked our products and the direction our company was heading. A couple of years later I asked if he would like to be a part of Advantage Bait and he accepted. With so many other products out there, more well-known to others, I was honored, to say the least.
HPFC: Where can your baits be purchased?
Jason Schwartz: From our website advantagebait.com, Tackle Warehouse, Amazon, and Rock Outdoors (NC).
HPFC: What fish other than bass do you want to catch on your lures?
Jason Schwartz: Any! I’m not particular.
HPFC: What are your goals/plans for the future of the business?
Jason Schwartz: We are coming out with a new product line of jigs. We collaborated with Brandon Card, and they are called the Wild Card Series. These specialty jigs will debut at the 2023 Bassmaster Classic Expo (March 24–26 in Knoxville, TN). Come visit us at Booth #4028. Unfortunately, I cannot give you a sneak peek just yet but will do so before the Classic.
HPFC: What are your goals/plans for the future on the water?
Jason Schwartz: More Wild Card Series baits and we want to come out with some flashers and dodgers featuring Extreme Flash Technology for the Great Lakes and offshore/deep sea fisherman.
HPFC: Bucket list trip for you?
Jason Schwartz: Another Lake El Salto trip, Lake Guntersville, Cal Delta, St. Lawrence River (Thousand Islands), O.H. Ivie Lake, Lake St. Clair, Santee Cooper, Clear Lake, and a bunch more…
HPFC: When will you take a trip with Half Past First Cast?
Jason Schwartz: I’m ready to go back to El Salto. When are we going, Hanna?
