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
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Across the way, Tacoronte’s neighbor has a herd of goats, and at least one is curious.
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There’s Jesse standing in his driveway between his house and garage waiting on his visitor.
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Oh, there’s horses on his property.
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Tacoronte and his father come out to greet the visitor.
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That’s Jesse’s mom, chilling in the office.
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Tacoronte stands with his main business associate, Shane Platter, who manages Enigma product shows and sales when Jesse is out fishing.
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Tacoronte started Enigma Fishing just five years ago.
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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.
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Being the main sponsor of three-time Bassmaster Angler of the Year Aaron Martens got his company some attention.
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The office is filled with memorabilia from his years fishing.
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Front and center in a case is a shirt autographed by all his fellow Elite Series anglers.
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A hat signed by Martens is close by.
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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.
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He’s collected some other cool items along the way, like this Heddon sign.
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Tacoronte has some fishing accolades from the area.
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He holds a patent on his products.
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And he’s received plaques for supporting bass events in the region.
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This is the mount from his 6-pound, 5-ounce smallmouth he caught at Oneida Lake.
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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.”
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There’s some oddities sitting around.
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As well as a display of his jerseys.
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Posters of events he’s sponsored.
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And more proof of his fishing prowess.
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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.
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In the office, where he said the crew hangs out and will watch shows like Bassmaster LIVE, there are funny signs.
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His merchant marine license.
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Plenty of good reading material.
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And more humorous signage.
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Here’s his favorite.
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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.”
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In the garage where he works and parks his boat, there’s all kinds of equipment in his work area.
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They deserve some signage near a lineup of rods.
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This toolbox looks like it’s seen a lot.
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Tacoronte says the garage “is where all our testing goes down. These are all prototypes of things we’re working on.”
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Tacoronte said sales have been good as he said the magical price point of fishing is $100.
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There’s also work being done on pliers, one he pulled away because it couldn’t be shown yet.
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Platters checks out a recent reel shipment. Tacoronte said packaging is critical.
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Joel Gable, who does social media for Enigma as well as package design, works on the latest project.
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A recent shipment of rods sits in the garage ready to send out.
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Tacoronte shows the extra packaging he likes to protect the rods.
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Out in front of the garage with his Toyota trucks, Tacoronte said that’s a wrap.
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