Your Captains - Tony Tillett and Jordan Croswait

Captain Tony Tillett

"If you ain't fishin' with a Tillett, then you ain't fishn'"

Among the most legendary sportfishing and boatbuilding families on the Outer Banks are the Tilletts - Sam, Omie and Tony. There's even a saying around the docks at the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, "If you ain't fishin with a Tillett, then you ain't fishin." The facts support this claim since the collective sportfishing experience of Sam, Omie and Tony Tillett totals more than 150 years and counting. This respected threesome has been an integral part of the Outer Banks sportfishing and boatbuilding heritage since the mid-1920s.

Tony Tillett, the youngest of three children, was born in 1940. At the age of 8, Tony began helping his father Sam Tillett at Dykstra's canal on a boat named the Spur. When he was 9, Tony carried his first fishing party to Oregon Inlet for channel bass. Tony remembers that day well. "Daddy made me stand on two drink crates, one stacked on top of the other. I could barely see over the wheel but Daddy said to follow him and to fish close by," he said. "All day we yelled back and forth as he checked to make sure I was OK. I had already been out with him many times so I knew what to expect." By the time he was 12, Tony was guiding fishing parties to the inlet by himself.

During his teenage years, Tony fished with Omie and his uncle Chester on one of Sambo's (his father's) boats named for him, the Tony. He continued to hone his fishing skills under the tutelage of Sam and Omie until he became a full-time charter captain in 1962 when he purchased the Carrov from Carson Stallings.

Many of the great charter captains in today's Oregon Inlet charter fleet, as well as several more around the world, were nurtured as mates under the guidance of Captain Tony Tillett. Few fisherman will ever match his experience or fishing prowess.

Now as Captain Tony Tillett prepares to retire, he is gradually passing the torch to another generation by captaining with his mate of the past four years, Captain Jordan Croswait.

Captain Jordan Croswait

Captain Jordan Croswait is the grandson of legendary boatbuilder and fisherman Buddy Cannady. Since he was a small boy, Jordan has lived to fish and work with his family in the fishing and boatbuilding business. Jordan has ten years consecutive experience as a captain and mate from Rhode Island to Mexico.

Captain Croswait received his 100 ton Masters USCG Captains License in 2008. He mated for Captain Tony Tillett on the Carolinian from 2007-2011. In late 2011 when the Carolinian was sold, Captain Tony asked Jordan to be his co-captain on their new boat, the Legacy.

In recent winters, Captain Croswait has mated on the Bi-Op-Sea and other boats for the sailfishing season in Mexico. In previous seasons, he mated on other Outer Banks boats as well as boats in Florida, the Bahamas and Mexico.

Jordan has mated in tournaments in Ocean City, Maryland, Virginia Beach, VA, Pirates Cove, NC, Hatteras, NC, Morehead, NC, New Smyrna, FL, Old Port Cove, FL, West Palm Beach, FL, Duck Key, FL and Isla Mujeres, Mexico.

In 2008, he was awarded Mate of the Year in the East/West Banquet for Oregon Inlet.

As mate of the Smoker, he won 2nd Place 2003 Pirates Cove Billfish Tournament, 3rd place in the release category 2004 Cape May Tournament and 2nd place 2005 Pirates Cove Boatbuilders tournament.

The all-new Legacy is docked at Oregon Inlet Fishing Center and we are now accepting charters for the 2012 fishing season. 80% of our business on the Carolinian was repeat customers so book your charter early to get the dates you want. Book your 2012 Outer Banks charter fishing trip today and share our passion and excitement for Gulf Stream Sportfishing on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Learn more about our history and legacy and view historical photos and recent videos.

Captains Jordan Croswait and Tony Tillett

Captain Tony Tillett

Left to right: Captain Bobby Croswait, future Captain Jordan Croswait and Captain BC Buddy Cannady (Pop Pop)

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