OMIE TILLET AND THE LEGEND OF BROTHERS PRIDE

Many of the distinct, beautiful characteristics of a Carolina sport-fisher — the sweeping broken sheer, gently curved tumblehome, warped plane bottom and flared bow — were influenced by a number of boatbuilders. However, one of the most dynamic patriarchs was undoubtedly Omie Tillet. While he was only able to complete eight hulls because of an allergy to epoxy, his influence continues today with John Bayliss, Paul Mann and Jarrett Bay’s Randy Ramsey, among scores of others.

A FISHING LINEAGE

Tillet comes from a family of fishermen that includes his younger brother Tony, who is still fishing out of Oregon Inlet, North Carolina, today. Omie began working with his father, Sam Tillet, at the age of 10, and by 20, Omie was running his first boat. As many Carolina charter captains soon learn, a new or different boat is often needed in order for them to keep fishing in the challenging conditions, so Omie approached his longtime friend and fellow fisherman Warren O’Neal.

During the winter months, Tillet had fished in Florida, where he visited Rybovich Boatworks. After returning home, he learned that a Rybovich boat was close by, so he and O’Neal traveled from the