Gear

Elite Man Caves: Matt Arey

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Welcome to the man cave of Matt Arey, a functional but stylish room where work and play are combined.
Welcome to the man cave of Matt Arey, a functional but stylish room where work and play are combined.
Arey, 14 seasons into his professional career, added manly features that are sure to be on your man cave project list.
Arey, 14 seasons into his professional career, added manly features that are sure to be on your man cave project list.
The Ranger Z521L is parked near to this tackle wall filled with baits, a work bench and below it, more storage space. The work bench runs the entire length of the wall.
The Ranger Z521L is parked near to this tackle wall filled with baits, a work bench and below it, more storage space. The work bench runs the entire length of the wall.
Arey moves lure inventory from the wall, into 3700-style utility boxes, and rotates them in and out of his Ranger as dictated by the conditions he faces at any given tournament.
Arey moves lure inventory from the wall, into 3700-style utility boxes, and rotates them in and out of his Ranger as dictated by the conditions he faces at any given tournament.
Arey favors slat board for its durability, good looks and ease in moving the pegs around to make storage solutions more efficient and better organized.
Arey favors slat board for its durability, good looks and ease in moving the pegs around to make storage solutions more efficient and better organized.
The galvanized metal adds a decorative, manly look to the slat board and wall. Below the work bench is a storage shelf. Arey stores tackle bags and utility boxes on the shelf. Below it is climbing stands and gear for his passion, archery whitetail deer hunting.
The galvanized metal adds a decorative, manly look to the slat board and wall. Below the work bench is a storage shelf. Arey stores tackle bags and utility boxes on the shelf. Below it is climbing stands and gear for his passion, archery whitetail deer hunting.
The workbench surface looks like what you’d find in a kitchen. It’s decorative but functional. He can work on projects anywhere along the wall.
The workbench surface looks like what you’d find in a kitchen. It’s decorative but functional. He can work on projects anywhere along the wall.
A close-up view of the tackle system storage space. Arey can pack and unpack baits from the wall, into the boxes and to his boat.
A close-up view of the tackle system storage space. Arey can pack and unpack baits from the wall, into the boxes and to his boat.
You’ll find lots of product from Arey’s sponsor Lunkerhunt, including his signature series Fetch swimbait.
You’ll find lots of product from Arey’s sponsor Lunkerhunt, including his signature series Fetch swimbait.
Another signature bait is the new Pulse Lures Spinnin’ PJ, featuring a 3/0 Gamakatsu Light Wire Hook and a wire keeper for soft plastics. “It’s got a custom pulse head design and arm that extends farther from the head,” Arey explained. “That angle and distance make it consistent with the blade action to keep it from rolling over.”
Another signature bait is the new Pulse Lures Spinnin’ PJ, featuring a 3/0 Gamakatsu Light Wire Hook and a wire keeper for soft plastics. “It’s got a custom pulse head design and arm that extends farther from the head,” Arey explained. “That angle and distance make it consistent with the blade action to keep it from rolling over.”
Another Arey concoction is the Pulse Lures Fish Swimbait Head. The guppy-style head has a keeper that is further back to increase hookup percentages. The 1/8-ounce model will hold a 2.8- and 3.3-size swimbait, making it ideal for A-rigs.
Another Arey concoction is the Pulse Lures Fish Swimbait Head. The guppy-style head has a keeper that is further back to increase hookup percentages. The 1/8-ounce model will hold a 2.8- and 3.3-size swimbait, making it ideal for A-rigs.
In the back corner of the man cave is rod storage. At left is a pile of Lew’s combos recently removed from his boat following the final 2021 Elite Series event on the St. Lawrence River. To the right are spare rods in the rack made by Arey.
In the back corner of the man cave is rod storage. At left is a pile of Lew’s combos recently removed from his boat following the final 2021 Elite Series event on the St. Lawrence River. To the right are spare rods in the rack made by Arey.
You can get a glimpse of some of the baits used by Arey in New York.
You can get a glimpse of some of the baits used by Arey in New York.
On this rack are combos for Arey’s daughters
On this rack are combos for Arey’s daughters.
Nearby on this table are spools of line. Arey chooses to spool his reels with new line before he departs for a tournament destination. “I just don’t like wasting time doing it there, so I can focus more on my mental game plan.”
Nearby on this table are spools of line. Arey chooses to spool his reels with new line before he departs for a tournament destination. “I just don’t like wasting time doing it there, so I can focus more on my mental game plan.”
Arey admitted a blue trophy is missing from this picture, but he soon hopes to change that next season when he begins his fourth year on the Elite Series. Arey won two FLW Tour championships during his time in the league.
Arey admitted a blue trophy is missing from this picture, but he soon hopes to change that next season when he begins his fourth year on the Elite Series. Arey won two FLW Tour championships during his time in the league.
This trophy means the most. Arey won the 2006 Forrest Wood Cup as a co-angler, which launched his move to the pro ranks.
This trophy means the most. Arey won the 2006 Forrest Wood Cup as a co-angler, which launched his move to the pro ranks.
At the 2021 Elite Series stop at the Sabine River, Arey and Scott Martin made a bet, in which the looser had to sign a $10 bill and present it to the winner. Arey bested Martin’s weight in the tournament and won the bet.
At the 2021 Elite Series stop at the Sabine River, Arey and Scott Martin made a bet, in which the looser had to sign a $10 bill and present it to the winner. Arey bested Martin’s weight in the tournament and won the bet.
Arey’s plaques from his two Classic tournaments will be joined by another in 2022 at the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk. Lake Hartwell, near his home in North Carolina, is the venue, and Arey hopes to bring home the world championship trophy.
Arey’s plaques from his two Classic tournaments will be joined by another in 2022 at the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk. Lake Hartwell, near his home in North Carolina, is the venue, and Arey hopes to bring home the world championship trophy.
Another custom DIY feature is the treated lumber. Arey used a blow torch to burn the wood, giving it a stained appearance.
Another custom DIY feature is the treated lumber. Arey used a blow torch to burn the wood, giving it a stained appearance.
On the opposite side of the cave is the manly man’s corner. Arey’s game mounts adorn the walls, there’s a TV for sports, a bar and a custom card table.
On the opposite side of the cave is the manly man’s corner. Arey’s game mounts adorn the walls, there’s a TV for sports, a bar and a custom card table.
Arey is an avid archery hunter and these mounts came from the woods around his home in North Carolina and in Kentucky.
Arey is an avid archery hunter and these mounts came from the woods around his home in North Carolina and in Kentucky.
Before the cards are dealt, and sometimes while they are in play, the players can come here and make a toddy.
Before the cards are dealt, and sometimes while they are in play, the players can come here and make a toddy.
Arey, a bourbon connoisseur, keeps a stock available for his friends. One well known pro, whose name shall remain anonymous, prefers to play his hand with a fine cognac.
Arey, a bourbon connoisseur, keeps a stock available for his friends. One well known pro, whose name shall remain anonymous, prefers to play his hand with a fine cognac.
The spread stands out in the man cave for its style and practicality. Play a hand of cards, do some work on the other side of the room. You can do it all here.
The spread stands out in the man cave for its style and practicality. Play a hand of cards, do some work on the other side of the room. You can do it all here.
This sign leaves no doubt of the intended purpose of the room.
This sign leaves no doubt of the intended purpose of the room.
Serious (or not) card playing happens here. The world’s problems are probably solved here as well.
Serious (or not) card playing happens here. The world’s problems are probably solved here as well.
Arey has this banner on the wall for no other reason than to proclaim he is an alumnus of North Carolina State University.
Arey has this banner on the wall for no other reason than to proclaim he is an alumnus of North Carolina State University.
The walls are appropriately decorated to complement the manly features of the cave.
The walls are appropriately decorated to complement the manly features of the cave.
This is one of Arey’s prized possessions in the cave. It’s a commemorative boat paddle given to guests at a Quaker State sponsor appreciation held at a Classic. “Hank Parker, Bill Dance and Jimmy Houston were my heroes early on in my bass fishing career and even before then.” The paddle is signed by each of the icons.
This is one of Arey’s prized possessions in the cave. It’s a commemorative boat paddle given to guests at a Quaker State sponsor appreciation held at a Classic. “Hank Parker, Bill Dance and Jimmy Houston were my heroes early on in my bass fishing career and even before then.” The paddle is signed by each of the icons.
Opposite the wall of lures is this space devoted to wild turkey and whitetail deer hunting, Arey’s offseason passions.
Opposite the wall of lures is this space devoted to wild turkey and whitetail deer hunting, Arey’s offseason passions.
Turkey fan mounts are displayed above the gear to proclaim Arey’s love for hunting the elusive game birds.
Turkey fan mounts are displayed above the gear to proclaim Arey’s love for hunting the elusive game birds.
Everything Arey needs to prepare for a hunt is here.
Everything Arey needs to prepare for a hunt is here.
It’s a grab-and-go, head out the door setup.
It’s a grab-and-go, head out the door setup.
Decoys and mounts. What else would you expect in a man cave?
Decoys and mounts. What else would you expect in a man cave?
The cave also includes a guest quarter, complete with a full bathroom, for anglers coming through his area. Two friends were staying there when this gallery was photographed, to compete in the Basspro.com Bassmaster Open at nearby Lake Norman.
The cave also includes a guest quarter, complete with a full bathroom, for anglers coming through his area. Two friends were staying there when this gallery was photographed, to compete in the Basspro.com Bassmaster Open at nearby Lake Norman.
And finally, meet Robo Turkey, the name given to this piecemeal mount. Let Arey explain.
And finally, meet Robo Turkey, the name given to this piecemeal mount. Let Arey explain.
“It’s a full mount with fan, feet, spurs and a beard, made from three different birds.” The mount came about after taxidermy mistakes made by Arey and his dad caused some of the original parts to rot. “The spurs and feet came from a bird I got in high school.” The beard was acquired two years ago, and the fan more than six years ago. Wouldn’t this story make a hit country music song?
“It’s a full mount with fan, feet, spurs and a beard, made from three different birds.” The mount came about after taxidermy mistakes made by Arey and his dad caused some of the original parts to rot. “The spurs and feet came from a bird I got in high school.” The beard was acquired two years ago, and the fan more than six years ago. Wouldn’t this story make a hit country music song?

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