Elite Man Caves

Elite Man Caves: Todd Auten

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Take a man cave walkthrough with Bassmaster Elite Series pro, Todd Auten. His is a man cave so full of history that you won't believe your eyes. There are even surprises unlike those you've seen in other man caves in our popular series.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Take a man cave walkthrough with Bassmaster Elite Series pro, Todd Auten. His is a man cave so full of history that you won't believe your eyes. There are even surprises unlike those you've seen in other man caves in our popular series.
Auten, 24 years into his professional career, has laid out a basement garage full of style and projects that anyone would be happy to add to their man cave.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Auten, 24 years into his professional career, has laid out a basement garage full of style and projects that anyone would be happy to add to their man cave.
Upon the first glance, the spacious garage is home to a familiar sight. That is Auten’s RT198 rig used mostly for fun fishing. There is also more eye candy to behold.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Upon the first glance, the spacious garage is home to a familiar sight. That is Auten’s RT198 rig used mostly for fun fishing. There is also more eye candy to behold.
The RT198 is an aluminum boat which he uses in between tournament boats, practicing for local events and striper fishing.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - The RT198 is an aluminum boat which he uses in between tournament boats, practicing for local events and striper fishing.
The RT198 has many of the features of a full-sized Ranger fiberglass model. Auten was awaiting the delivery of his tournament rig for the 2022 season when these photos were taken.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - The RT198 has many of the features of a full-sized Ranger fiberglass model. Auten was awaiting the delivery of his tournament rig for the 2022 season when these photos were taken.
Next is a collection of fully restored, antique Chevy Camaros.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Next is a collection of fully restored, antique Chevy Camaros.
When he isn’t fishing, Auten is a car guru and master mechanic. He spends his spare time completely restoring his older model Chevy Camaros.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - When he isn’t fishing, Auten is a car guru and master mechanic. He spends his spare time completely restoring his older model Chevy Camaros.
This is his 1969 Camaro Z/28 powered by a small-block 302 with all matching numbers.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - This is his 1969 Camaro Z/28 powered by a small-block 302 with all matching numbers.
He bought the car when he was 21, and he started the restoration process 10 years later after working up the funds to do so.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - He bought the car when he was 21, and he started the restoration process 10 years later after working up the funds to do so.
His more recent project is this 1969 Camaro convertible. The car remains in the early stages of restoration with body, engine and suspension work still ahead.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - His more recent project is this 1969 Camaro convertible. The car remains in the early stages of restoration with body, engine and suspension work still ahead.
No garage is complete without a large toolbox. Auten’s Snap-On toolbox has been with him since his 18-year run as a master mechanic for Chevrolet.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - No garage is complete without a large toolbox. Auten’s Snap-On toolbox has been with him since his 18-year run as a master mechanic for Chevrolet.
Next to his boat and toolbox is a miscellaneous room full of more tools, dirt bikes, a four-wheeler and everything in between.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Next to his boat and toolbox is a miscellaneous room full of more tools, dirt bikes, a four-wheeler and everything in between.
For a gearhead like Auten, the workbench is a must. This is the area he uses as a workshop to customize lures and paint baits.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - For a gearhead like Auten, the workbench is a must. This is the area he uses as a workshop to customize lures and paint baits.
The workbench, toolbox and other gear gets a lot of use.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - The workbench, toolbox and other gear gets a lot of use.
A few spinnerbaits hang on the workbench awaiting different blades, paint and/or hooks.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - A few spinnerbaits hang on the workbench awaiting different blades, paint and/or hooks.
A few more lures strung across the work bench.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - A few more lures strung across the work bench.
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One of Auten’s completed lures on the work bench.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - One of Auten’s completed lures on the work bench.
The paint drying wheel mounted on the side of the work bench slowly spins to allow baits to dry evenly after painting or epoxy coating.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - The paint drying wheel mounted on the side of the work bench slowly spins to allow baits to dry evenly after painting or epoxy coating.
Towards the back of the shop, Auten has several racks to hold a variety of fishing rods.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Towards the back of the shop, Auten has several racks to hold a variety of fishing rods.
He has everything from tournament rods to surf rods.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - He has everything from tournament rods to surf rods.
This rack holds most of his spinning reels with a few baitcasters included.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - This rack holds most of his spinning reels with a few baitcasters included.
The rod racks stay fully stocked and tournament ready with G. Loomis rods and Daiwa reels.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - The rod racks stay fully stocked and tournament ready with G. Loomis rods and Daiwa reels.
At the back of the shop, a shelf is home to Auten’s past accomplishments, awards and interesting items.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - At the back of the shop, a shelf is home to Auten’s past accomplishments, awards and interesting items.
The collection spans more than two decades of achievements.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - The collection spans more than two decades of achievements.
First are a few trophies from his days as a Chevrolet master mechanic.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - First are a few trophies from his days as a Chevrolet master mechanic.
Auten has always been an avid collector throughout his life. This shelf holds just a few of the interesting and decorative objects he has come across.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Auten has always been an avid collector throughout his life. This shelf holds just a few of the interesting and decorative objects he has come across.
The shelf wouldn’t be complete without a few bass fishing trophies from his long past as a tournament angler.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - The shelf wouldn’t be complete without a few bass fishing trophies from his long past as a tournament angler.
Everything from old boxes of ammo, a camera, clocks and trophies. Auten truly has a variety of antique memorabilia.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Everything from old boxes of ammo, a camera, clocks and trophies. Auten truly has a variety of antique memorabilia.
On the back wall, another shelf holds a slew of antique tackleboxes and other miscellaneous items.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - On the back wall, another shelf holds a slew of antique tackleboxes and other miscellaneous items.
He estimates having around 25 or more old and antique tackleboxes.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - He estimates having around 25 or more old and antique tackleboxes.
Auten has been collecting from an early age. A lot of his collection comes from finding items around the country as he travels for tournament fishing.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Auten has been collecting from an early age. A lot of his collection comes from finding items around the country as he travels for tournament fishing.
And if you were wondering, the answer is yes. These old tackleboxes are still slam full of lures.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - And if you were wondering, the answer is yes. These old tackleboxes are still slam full of lures.
A closer look at the lures lying inside one of the many old tackleboxes.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - A closer look at the lures lying inside one of the many old tackleboxes.
Another of Auten’s collector's items — an old, functioning Pepsi vending machine — also sits at the back of the shop.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Another of Auten’s collector's items — an old, functioning Pepsi vending machine — also sits at the back of the shop.
It is rescued and ready to paint. Auten often finds lost lures while out on the lake, and instead of throwing them away, he keeps them and restores them back to new.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - It is rescued and ready to paint. Auten often finds lost lures while out on the lake, and instead of throwing them away, he keeps them and restores them back to new.
This rack is the holding place for all rescued lures that need work. As long as they aren’t broken, he will clean, repaint and add fresh hooks to one day be used again.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - This rack is the holding place for all rescued lures that need work. As long as they aren’t broken, he will clean, repaint and add fresh hooks to one day be used again.
A closer look at the handful of rescued lures ready to be brought back to life.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - A closer look at the handful of rescued lures ready to be brought back to life.
Why let it go to waste when it can catch fish again?
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Why let it go to waste when it can catch fish again?
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The back of the garage on the right opens into the tournament tackle storage room. This room is organized with pegboards for hanging lure packages and metal shelves for stacking boxes of tackle.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - The back of the garage on the right opens into the tournament tackle storage room. This room is organized with pegboards for hanging lure packages and metal shelves for stacking boxes of tackle.
The pegboard allows for storage, display, organization and easy access to packaged lures. Auten can quickly and easily pull different lures off the wall to pack for tournaments with effortless restocking.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - The pegboard allows for storage, display, organization and easy access to packaged lures. Auten can quickly and easily pull different lures off the wall to pack for tournaments with effortless restocking.
Behold the Lucky Craft wall. Behind the door of the tournament tackle room is a pegboard wall full of Lucky Craft Lures, including a variety of older and discontinued ones.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Behold the Lucky Craft wall. Behind the door of the tournament tackle room is a pegboard wall full of Lucky Craft Lures, including a variety of older and discontinued ones.
A small table along the wall is a great place to stock a variety of Water Wood custom baits.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - A small table along the wall is a great place to stock a variety of Water Wood custom baits.
Water Wood baits are crafted from Marupá Pedra wood from Brazil. It is highly sought after and is believed to be the ultimate choice for durability, consistency and action.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Water Wood baits are crafted from Marupá Pedra wood from Brazil. It is highly sought after and is believed to be the ultimate choice for durability, consistency and action.
Auten’s signature buzz toad, from his past sponsorship with Zorro, is one of the many items hanging along his pegboard wall.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Auten’s signature buzz toad, from his past sponsorship with Zorro, is one of the many items hanging along his pegboard wall.
A closer look at what hangs along the tournament tackle room wall.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - A closer look at what hangs along the tournament tackle room wall.
Auten prefers the older Speed Traps that were originally made in Mexico. Those are harder to find, so he stocks up when he comes across them.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Auten prefers the older Speed Traps that were originally made in Mexico. Those are harder to find, so he stocks up when he comes across them.
“This wall is a memory jogger. I often look at it and think, 'Oh shoot, I’m going to need some of those.' Then I can take what I need and put it in my box.”
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - “This wall is a memory jogger. I often look at it and think, 'Oh shoot, I’m going to need some of those.' Then I can take what I need and put it in my box.”
With a large variety of lures and some collectibles, take a look at a few more closeups of the tournament tackle room wall.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - With a large variety of lures and some collectibles, take a look at a few more closeups of the tournament tackle room wall.
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Acquired at one of his first Bassmaster Classics is a B.A.S.S. logo-adorned Busch frame which decorates the wall above the pegboard.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Acquired at one of his first Bassmaster Classics is a B.A.S.S. logo-adorned Busch frame which decorates the wall above the pegboard.
He doesn’t play it much anymore, but the guitar and amp are always on standby for whenever he decides to pick it up.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - He doesn’t play it much anymore, but the guitar and amp are always on standby for whenever he decides to pick it up.
The other half of the tournament tackle room has metal shelving for his Tupperware boxes full of baits.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - The other half of the tournament tackle room has metal shelving for his Tupperware boxes full of baits.
The left shelf holds terminal tackle and baits ranging from topwater, to jerkbaits, crankbaits and so on. Basically, they are in order from top of the water column baits down to the bottom of the water column.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - The left shelf holds terminal tackle and baits ranging from topwater, to jerkbaits, crankbaits and so on. Basically, they are in order from top of the water column baits down to the bottom of the water column.
The right shelf holds boxes full of his soft plastics.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - The right shelf holds boxes full of his soft plastics.
The center shelf is more of overflow shelf with a variety of different baits, spinnerbaits and gear. He uses Bass Mafia boxes for his spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and terminal tackle.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - The center shelf is more of overflow shelf with a variety of different baits, spinnerbaits and gear. He uses Bass Mafia boxes for his spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and terminal tackle.
A couple of older fishing graphs sit along the top of a shelf towards the back of the garage.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - A couple of older fishing graphs sit along the top of a shelf towards the back of the garage.
The Humminbird CH Thirty was a paper graph recorder popular in the mid-1980s.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - The Humminbird CH Thirty was a paper graph recorder popular in the mid-1980s.
A Bass Mafia box filled to the rim with Todd Auten’s favorite Water Wood Custom Baits.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - A Bass Mafia box filled to the rim with Todd Auten’s favorite Water Wood Custom Baits.
Auten started a new online tackle store with his family called Auten Specialty Baits. The store will carry custom, hard-to-find, collectible and vintage lures.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Auten started a new online tackle store with his family called Auten Specialty Baits. The store will carry custom, hard-to-find, collectible and vintage lures.
His online tackle store will include the highly sought after Water Wood Custom Baits.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - His online tackle store will include the highly sought after Water Wood Custom Baits.
<p>To find out more about Auten's online tackle store, or Water Wood Custom Baits, visit <a href=
Photo: Dalton Tumblin -

To find out more about Auten's online tackle store, or Water Wood Custom Baits, visit autenspecialtybaits.com.

From the grassroots B.A.S.S. Nation, to the Bassmaster Invitationals, to the Classic, this wall of honor is filled with plaques from Auten’s early years of tournament angling.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - From the grassroots B.A.S.S. Nation, to the Bassmaster Invitationals, to the Classic, this wall of honor is filled with plaques from Auten’s early years of tournament angling.
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A young Todd Auten poses with his wife, children and Forrest and Nina Wood at one of his first Classics. <br> Stay tuned for part 2 of Todd Auten's Man Cave!
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - A young Todd Auten poses with his wife, children and Forrest and Nina Wood at one of his first Classics.
Stay tuned for part 2 of Todd Auten's Man Cave!