Brooklyn Park Man Reels in Vikings Coach Mike Zimmer

This is a fish tale that is actually true. Brooklyn Park resident Adam Audette has turned fishing poles into profit.

“Every year since we’ve been in business we’ve doubled in business, every single year,” said Audette, president of Tuned Up Custom Rods. “Actually this year we are on track to do better than that… We’re sending rods to the East Coast. We’re sending rods to Canada. We’ve sent rods to Sweden.”

The story of Tuned Up Custom Rods began in 2010 with humble beginnings in a Brooklyn Park basement. Today it’s a thriving business.

“The big boys are picking us up,” Audette said. “We’ve got Scheel’s Sporting Goods. We are actually in 22 of their stores across the country, from Sandy, Utah all the way to the ice belt up here and then also Cabela’s.”

Tuned Up Custom Rods was started by Audette and his brother-in-law John Burback. Now located in Coon Rapids, the company has carved out a successful niche designing handmade fishing poles.

“You can come in and get a rod that’s uniquely made for you and the way that you fish and down the road you go,” Audette said. “It’s not like picking one off the shelf.”

Clients Across the Country

The clients at Tuned Up Custom Rods range from someone who wants to fly fish in the Rockies.

“We just got finished up with four fly rods that were sent out to Montana,” Audette said.

Or go after tarpon in Florida. Or pursue fish on a frozen Minnesota lake.

“We’re known as the premium brand in the ice fishing world,” Audette said.

“There’s something about the pride of making something special for somebody that’s going to enjoy this fishing rod,” said Rick Johnson, who works for Tuned Up Custom Rods, “and is going to enjoy that sport for a long time.”

Tuned Up Custom Rods Reels In Coach Zimmer

Audette is also youth football coach for the undefeated Brooklyn Park Pirates. He believes fishing and football should be a positive experience.

“Let’s be real,” Audette said. “We’re talking about football here, which is a game and fishing which is recreation. It should be fun.”

Audette clearly had fun last week as he reeled in a big catch in Eagan. He hand-delivered some fishing poles to Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer.

“Coach took some time,” Audette said. “Had a lot of questions. Was curious about the rods. Smiling like a kid on Christmas with these high end fishing rods in his hand. It was a really unique opportunity.”

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