Ric Burnley
“Thank God my dad wasn’t a podiatrist,” Ric jokes about following in the footsteps of a famous outdoor writer. After graduating from Radford University and serving two years in Russia with the Peace Corps, Ric returned to Virginia Beach and started writing for The Fisherman magazine, where his dad was editor. When the kayak fishing scene exploded, Ric was among the first to get onboard. His 2007 book, The Complete Kayak Fisherman is one of the first how-to books to introduce anglers to paddle fishing. In 2010, Ric took on the role of editor at Kayak Angler magazine where he covered the latest trends in kayak fishing tactics, tackle, gear and destinations. A ravenous angler, Ric fishes from the mountain to the sea chasing everything from smallmouth bass to striped bass.
The Gear Our Editors Love This Winter
Where some see an off-season, we see opportunity. Colder temperatures—well that just means more solitude on the water. Lethargic fish—a chance for new tactics....
Best Kayak Crates For 2025
At the dawn of modern kayak fishing, anglers needed a container to hold tackle and gear that was light, versatile and nearly indestructible. The...
Baitcasting Vs. Spinning Reels
The debate about fishing with a baitcasting reel versus a spinning reel isn’t really much of a debate. Today’s tackle and tactics are rod...
Best Kayak Fish Finders For 2025
Kayak anglers want to have our cake and eat it, too. We want the convenience of a small, plastic boat and the fishing capability...
Best Gifts For Fishermen
Whether you’re shopping for a novice angler or picking a gift for the angler who has everything, there is no shortage of unique fishing...
Best Tandem Fishing Kayaks For 2025
Tandem kayaks are for dreamers: anglers who dream of sharing the fishing and kayaking experience with a friend or family member. But the dream...
9 Travel Essentials For Your Next Fishing Road Trip
In the last few years, more people are traveling to more places than ever before. One of the challenges of traveling is enjoying the...
Best Fishing Kayaks For 2025
Asking me to pick the best fishing kayak is like asking a mother to pick her favorite child. I love them all for their...
First Look: Hobie Unveils The 2025 Mirage Pro Angler
Two weeks before Hobie premiered the revamped Pro Angler, I sat down with James McBeath, director of marketing, to get answers to a few...
Casting For Gold: Saltwater Kayak Fishing World Championship Makes Waves
When I say kayak fishing in the Olympics, do you say crazy? For a group of the sport’s most influential anglers, crazy is on...
