Gday Guys, 

My name is Jaimen (new to the forum). I'm a bass pro angler in Australia. I'm am looking to come to the states to fish competitively and am wondering where to take my first step. I'm thinking I will come over next year for a quick trip and do a tournament as a Co-angler to try and make some contacts with people, get a feel for it and do some extra research while over there. I was thinking of doing a BASS masters Open event around NY area as we have friends in New Jersey and that would make the logistics of it so much easier. What are you're thoughts???

Thanks a lot

Jaimen. 

Welcome to BR, Jaimen! It seems as though the two of us think alike. After two decades of competing as an amateur, I too am preparing to move on to the pros. Like you, I decided to fish a Bassmaster Open as a coangler this year to get a feel for it. Planning was easy for me because they scheduled an Open in my home state of Oklahoma, so that was a no brainer. You're situation is a little trickier. I understand your desire to fish in the NY/NJ area from a logistics stand point, but since you are waiting until next season, there's no way of knowing where the Opens will be held. Hopefully, they will schedule one close by, but otherwise, you may have to travel a bit further. Either way, I wish you good luck and tight lines. I hope to see you on the trail in a couple of years!