A Florida Keys native, Captain Tim Carlile has guided the flats for more than 65 years. His lifelong connection to the fishery began in childhood, when he spent countless hours exploring backwaters with his father, Cliff, learning fish behavior, tides, wildlife and the delicate ecosystems that define the Keys.

While Carlile once held the IGFA World Record for a bonefish weighing 14 pounds, 10 ounces, his impact extends far beyond personal catches. He is best known for guiding anglers to success in some of the region’s most prestigious tournaments, including the Key West Fishing Tournament, Miami MET Tournament, Marathon International Bonefish Tournament, Mercury S.L.A.M. Celebrity Tournament, Sugarloaf Showdown, Florida Keys Tarpon Classic and the Redbone series. Many of his clients earned tournament victories, awards and grand slams for bonefish, tarpon and permit.

His consistent success reflects a deep understanding of fish movement, weather patterns and subtle flats conditions. Anglers aboard his flats boat, The Outcast, quickly recognize his respect for both the species and their habitats. For decades, Carlile has shared his knowledge with anglers of all ages, encouraging ethical angling and conservation.

That dedication extends beyond the water. He co-hosts the longest-running radio fishing show in the Florida Keys on the US1 Radio News Network (iHeartRadio) and has appeared on television programs, including George Poveromo’s A Different Kind of Backcountry and Backcountry Bonefish!. He is also featured on podcasts such as Florida Bay Forever and Mill House Podcast.

Carlile has been honored on the Middle Keys Top Spot Map, named a lifelong Hewes Ambassador and inducted into the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT) 2025 Circle of Honor, receiving the Outstanding Guide Award. As BTT President and CEO Jim McDuffie noted, “Bonefish & Tarpon Trust stands today on a foundation that Tim Carlile helped lay.”