Elite Man Caves

Elite Man Caves: Jesse Tacoronte

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Go off the beaten path south of Orlando, Fla., to find Jesse Tacoronte’s homestead in Kissimmee, with Lake Toho just a stone’s throw away. The road to his place has an old Florida feel.
Photo: Mike Suchan - Go off the beaten path south of Orlando, Fla., to find Jesse Tacoronte’s homestead in Kissimmee, with Lake Toho just a stone’s throw away. The road to his place has an old Florida feel.
Across the way, Tacoronte’s neighbor has a herd of goats, and at least one is curious.
Photo: Mike Suchan - Across the way, Tacoronte’s neighbor has a herd of goats, and at least one is curious.
There’s Jesse standing in his driveway between his house and garage waiting on his visitor.
Photo: Mike Suchan - There’s Jesse standing in his driveway between his house and garage waiting on his visitor.
Oh, there’s horses on his property.
Photo: Mike Suchan - Oh, there’s horses on his property.
Tacoronte and his father come out to greet the visitor.
Photo: Mike Suchan - Tacoronte and his father come out to greet the visitor.
That’s Jesse’s mom, chilling in the office.
Photo: Mike Suchan - That’s Jesse’s mom, chilling in the office.
Tacoronte stands with his main business associate, Shane Platter, who manages Enigma product shows and sales when Jesse is out fishing.
Photo: Mike Suchan - Tacoronte stands with his main business associate, Shane Platter, who manages Enigma product shows and sales when Jesse is out fishing.
Tacoronte started Enigma Fishing just five years ago.
Photo: Mike Suchan - Tacoronte started Enigma Fishing just five years ago.
The Phenom rod was Tacoronte’s first partaking in the industry. “This was the very first rods we made — Hulk rods. That put us on the map, the green rods,” he said.
Photo: Mike Suchan - The Phenom rod was Tacoronte’s first partaking in the industry. “This was the very first rods we made — Hulk rods. That put us on the map, the green rods,” he said.
Being the main sponsor of three-time Bassmaster Angler of the Year Aaron Martens got his company some attention.
Photo: Mike Suchan - Being the main sponsor of three-time Bassmaster Angler of the Year Aaron Martens got his company some attention.
The office is filled with memorabilia from his years fishing.
Photo: Mike Suchan - The office is filled with memorabilia from his years fishing.
Front and center in a case is a shirt autographed by all his fellow Elite Series anglers.
Photo: Mike Suchan - Front and center in a case is a shirt autographed by all his fellow Elite Series anglers.
A hat signed by Martens is close by.
Photo: Mike Suchan - A hat signed by Martens is close by.
Tacoronte’s many years of fishing and relationships are represented. Charlie Evans handed him his first trophy at a Red Man in 1989 when he was 18.
Photo: Mike Suchan - Tacoronte’s many years of fishing and relationships are represented. Charlie Evans handed him his first trophy at a Red Man in 1989 when he was 18.
He’s collected some other cool items along the way, like this Heddon sign.
Photo: Mike Suchan - He’s collected some other cool items along the way, like this Heddon sign.
Tacoronte has some fishing accolades from the area.
Photo: Mike Suchan - Tacoronte has some fishing accolades from the area.
He holds a patent on his products.
Photo: Mike Suchan - He holds a patent on his products.
And he’s received plaques for supporting bass events in the region.
Photo: Mike Suchan - And he’s received plaques for supporting bass events in the region.
This is the mount from his 6-pound, 5-ounce smallmouth he caught at Oneida Lake.
Photo: Mike Suchan - This is the mount from his 6-pound, 5-ounce smallmouth he caught at Oneida Lake.
This replica of him and his boat was made by a fan. “That’s the best form of flattery,” he said, adding the fan told him,
Photo: Mike Suchan - This replica of him and his boat was made by a fan. “That’s the best form of flattery,” he said, adding the fan told him, "‘You’re the most easily approachable guy on tour.’ I’m a fish head like everybody else.”
There’s some oddities sitting around.
Photo: Mike Suchan - There’s some oddities sitting around.
As well as a display of his jerseys.
Photo: Mike Suchan - As well as a display of his jerseys.
Posters of events he’s sponsored.
Photo: Mike Suchan - Posters of events he’s sponsored.
And more proof of his fishing prowess.
Photo: Mike Suchan - And more proof of his fishing prowess.
This artwork was made for him in Japan by an artist from his days of his TV show there with Davy Hite and Shaw Grigsby.
Photo: Mike Suchan - This artwork was made for him in Japan by an artist from his days of his TV show there with Davy Hite and Shaw Grigsby.
In the office, where he said the crew hangs out and will watch shows like Bassmaster LIVE, there are funny signs.
Photo: Mike Suchan - In the office, where he said the crew hangs out and will watch shows like Bassmaster LIVE, there are funny signs.
His merchant marine license.
Photo: Mike Suchan - His merchant marine license.
Plenty of good reading material.
Photo: Mike Suchan - Plenty of good reading material.
And more humorous signage.
Photo: Mike Suchan - And more humorous signage.
Here’s his favorite.
Photo: Mike Suchan - Here’s his favorite.
Back down a hall, there’s a wall of extra lures, but Tacoronte said he’s “not much of a lure hoarder. You only use so much stuff.”
Photo: Mike Suchan - Back down a hall, there’s a wall of extra lures, but Tacoronte said he’s “not much of a lure hoarder. You only use so much stuff.”
In the garage where he works and parks his boat, there’s all kinds of equipment in his work area.
Photo: Mike Suchan - In the garage where he works and parks his boat, there’s all kinds of equipment in his work area.
They deserve some signage near a lineup of rods.
Photo: Mike Suchan - They deserve some signage near a lineup of rods.
This toolbox looks like it’s seen a lot.
Photo: Mike Suchan - This toolbox looks like it’s seen a lot.
Tacoronte says the garage “is where all our testing goes down. These are all prototypes of things we’re working on.”
Photo: Mike Suchan - Tacoronte says the garage “is where all our testing goes down. These are all prototypes of things we’re working on.”
Tacoronte said sales have been good as he said the magical price point of fishing is $100.
Photo: Mike Suchan - Tacoronte said sales have been good as he said the magical price point of fishing is $100.
There’s also work being done on pliers, one he pulled away because it couldn’t be shown yet.
Photo: Mike Suchan - There’s also work being done on pliers, one he pulled away because it couldn’t be shown yet.
Platters checks out a recent reel shipment. Tacoronte said packaging is critical.
Photo: Mike Suchan - Platters checks out a recent reel shipment. Tacoronte said packaging is critical.
Joel Gable, who does social media for Enigma as well as package design, works on the latest project.
Photo: Mike Suchan - Joel Gable, who does social media for Enigma as well as package design, works on the latest project.
A recent shipment of rods sits in the garage ready to send out.
Photo: Mike Suchan - A recent shipment of rods sits in the garage ready to send out.
Tacoronte shows the extra packaging he likes to protect the rods.
Photo: Mike Suchan - Tacoronte shows the extra packaging he likes to protect the rods.
Out in front of the garage with his Toyota trucks, Tacoronte said that’s a wrap.
Photo: Mike Suchan - Out in front of the garage with his Toyota trucks, Tacoronte said that’s a wrap.