Bonefish & Tarpon Trust Honors Captain Tim Carlile and Dr. Roy Crabtree

Articles

Feb 27

Written by : Trent Jones

The Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT) is set to induct two legends of the flats fishing world into its Circle of Honor on April 10, 2025, at the 12th Annual Florida Keys Dinner at Cheeca Lodge & Spa in Islamorada, Florida. Captain Tim Carlile, a Florida Keys guiding icon, and Dr. Roy Crabtree, a leading fisheries scientist, will be recognized for their immense contributions to conservation and the sport of fly fishing.

A Lifetime on the Flats: Captain Tim Carlile

Captain Tim Carlile, recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Guide Award, has spent over six decades guiding anglers through the pristine waters of the Florida Keys. His journey started young—leading tourists on rental boats at just 11 years old—before transitioning into a full-time guiding career. Carlile's expertise has helped his clients rack up tournament wins in events like the Key West Fishing Tournament and the Redbone series.

Beyond the boat, Carlile has been a dedicated advocate for fisheries conservation in Florida, partnering with BTT to study bonefish migration, reproduction, and feeding habits. He continues to push for habitat protections and management strategies to ensure the future of the flats fishery. You might also recognize him from his weekly radio show in the Keys or his appearances on fishing TV programs and documentaries.

Pioneering Flats Science: Dr. Roy Crabtree

Dr. Roy Crabtree, recipient of BTT’s 2025 Flats Stewardship Award, has dedicated his career to understanding and protecting bonefish, tarpon, and permit. After earning his PhD in Marine Science, Crabtree initially worked as a backcountry guide in Islamorada before transitioning into fisheries research and management.

His groundbreaking studies on bonefish age, growth, and reproduction laid the foundation for much of today’s flats fisheries research. He also conducted pioneering work on tarpon and permit, producing scientific papers that continue to guide conservation efforts to this day. Crabtree’s career spanned roles at the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and NOAA Fisheries, where he worked to balance the needs of recreational and commercial fishing interests.