Hello everyone for those of you who dont know me im "White Mike" from New Jersey im currently 21 and working right now.

Jersey isn't ecactly the bass fishing capitol of the US and quite frankly there arent too many jobs around here that entail doing somthing with fresh water fishing especially bass.

My ultimate goal of course is to go on tour one day and fish tournaments but its definitely a far road ahead. Meanwhile while I am building skills and learning more I would at least like to have an occupation in the fishing industry. But how can i get connected if its really not that big up here? If anyone has ever heard the saying "You should love what you do for a living" I believe thats very true and I would love to get up every morning knowing I could either help people or do something that involves fishing. If anyone has any suggestions or advice on how to get started doing this please discuss. Thanks a lot -Mike

Do you have any prior experience, special skills, or a college degree? If not you might want to check out Cabelas, Gander Mountain, Dicks, or Bass Pro. Hopefully others on the forum will have some better advice.  

Get ahold of Bobby at Megastrike.  He's in Jersey and can probably give you a few contact to local reps and dealers, as well as give you a few pointers.

Ok thanks a lot Glenn. Will do

Just something to think about.  When I was in hi school, I was really good at golf and was working at the local country club.  My boss at the time told me that if I liked to play golf, go into another profession such as teaching, medical, law...anything but the golf profession so I would have time to play.  When everyone wants to play golf, you work.  Well,  in 35+ years since then, I've been a Golf Professional, a Professional golfer, and a golf course superintendent and play less than someone in another profession.  Just something to ponder, use your skills in another field and try to obtain your goal as a professional fisherman but have something to fall back on in case you are not one of the small percentage that make it.  

I agree with Ringfry.   With that said I have done the same as you are looking to do but not in the fishing industry.

What you need to do is get a job with BPS, Cabelas, or a mom/pop with high rep traffic.  Become a reps friend and help them.  Become interested in their product and make sure you work hard for your bosses.  When you are ready the reps and boss will be the best go too's for career advancement.  With the right reps and boss they will put in good words for you.  Most reps are known through other groups in an industry.  Atleast the good ones with good lines.