For most of his life, Kelly Power's been too busy to fish professionally. He spent 23 years with Champion Boats, most recently as brand manager, until he left a few years prior to the Genmar meltdown.
Power fished select Bassmaster Invitationals in the '90s and dabbled in some regional stuff, but again was just too busy to get out on the road.
That's changed, he said, and he's now got some time to pursue a career and his dream to appear on the Bassmaster Classic stage.
It all started when he left Genmar.
"When I left Genmar, I was very soured on the (boat-building) industry, but I had several dealers and customers around the area who talked me into opening a fiberglass-repair facility," he told BassFan. "They didn't have anyone around here doing it and it just went through the roof. The first year was kind of slow, but after that we were covered up with work. We did warranty work for pretty much all the manufacturers and insurance companies – (last) weekend we had two boats coming up from Louisiana.
"But last September (2009) I had a gentleman who I've known for a long time – he decided he wanted the business more than I did," Power added. "I sold it to him. I'm still involved, but that's kind of what made the turn for me to get back into fishing. My wife has a store where we live (Cape Fair, Mo.), and it's all kind of freed up some time for me to fish a little more."
After the sale of his Championship Power in Spokane, Mo., he didn't want to jump right into a heavy schedule, so he competed in the four-event PAA Tournament Series. His plan right now is to fish next year's PAA Series and Bassmaster Central Opens with an eye toward making the Bassmaster Elite Series.
"I jumped in and went after the PAA Series primarily with a goal to fish in a four-state region. I haven't figured out what I want to do when I grow up yet. For now I want to fish. And if I have any one goal, I want to stand on the Bassmaster Classic stage one time."
> Power finished 4th last weekend at the Table Rock PAA Series.
