03/05/2026
Billy Nicholas doesn’t have to work at the Bassmaster Classic every year for Vexus® Boats.
He owns the highly renowned Venice Fishing Lodge where he and his bride Renata host over 1,000 guided clients a year when they’re not overseeing a ranch in San Marcos, Texas.
The man’s got plenty to do.
But when Vexus co-founder Keith Daffron, who had known Billy for several years prior to the start of Vexus in 2017, found his crew in a jam while constructing their Bassmaster Classic booth five years ago in Fort Worth, he made a desperate call to Billy.
“My brother Kevin and the boys were in a bit of a meltdown in the midst of setting-up, and knowing Billy’s talent for construction I called him to see if he could help. He told me he’d drop everything and be there in 3 hours. Sure enough he did. That’s just classic Billy," says Daffron.
"A faithful friend and team player. Billy helped save us, and he’s been a big-time part of our booth construction and tear down at every Bassmaster Classic since,” says a highly appreciative Daffron.
So why does he keep showing up two days before the first fishing fans arrive at the Expo to climb step ladders and hammer truss work into place?
“The comradery and the friendship. Pure and simple. There’s a family atmosphere at Vexus that’s mighty rare, and I don’t mind lending a hand in order to be a part of it,” says the straight-shooting Nicholas, who has also coached baseball when not ranching or winning redfish tournaments.
Nicholas’ heartfelt connection to the custom boat builders ultimately started as an angler who simply admired Forrest L. Wood.
“I had enormous admiration for Keith’s grandpa, Forrest. I often feel like he was among the last of the true gentlemen. He never said a bad word about anybody amid all his success, and Randy Hopper is a whole lot like that too,” reflects Nicholas.
Having been a part of the Vexus family since day one, Nicholas has had a rare view to the evolution of the now soaring brand.
He says it’s always been about quality and innovation in the boat building process. Noting that he saw the commitment Randy Hopper, Lance Newton, and Keith Daffron made to those attributes from the very start -- all of whom learned from Forrest L. Wood.
No surprise then, just hours after Forrest passed away in early 2020, Billy called. Not to ask if he was needed or what could be done to help. It was to say he would be there in a few hours…Classic Billy.
To learn about the ACX 2210 center console Billy depends on in the challenging conditions of the Mississippi River Delta, and all the custom built Vexus boats, please visit VexusBoats.com
