Ric Burnley

Canada, United States, Virginia, Virginia Beach

Editor-at-Large at Salt Water Sportsman

reliable fishing reports, how-to articles, photos, videos, reviews, guides and charter, news, commentary...everything you needs to fish the Mid Atlantic.

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Articles

Your Prescription for the Biggest Headache in Boating

1 week ago | saltwatersportsman.com | Ric Burnley

We’ve all been there. Load the boat with gear, prep the tackle, store the food and drinks, everyone is excited about enjoying a day on the water, turn the key to start the motor—and nothing happens. Ugh!Michael Kiel, founder and CEO of Boat Planet, has been there too. “There’s nothing worse than looking forward to boating and then something goes wrong,” he sighs. That’s why Kiel developed Boat Planet, an online boating resource that helps boaters connect with service providers.
The new fishing kayak bucking trends and taking paddling performance back to the future

2 weeks ago | kayakanglermag.com | Ric Burnley

BoatsKayaksVideos A long, lean paddling machine taking performance back to the future By Ric Burnley Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Mix Latest Videos 00:48:51 Kayak Angler Fights Swarm Of Sharks (Video) Bass Tries To Eat Smaller Bass (Video) The Epic Moment Angler Caught Three Bass Simultaneously (Video) Sea Otter Takes Nap On Kayak Angler’s Boat (Video) My first kayak was an Ocean Kayak Prowler 15. Over the past 15 years, I’ve paddled all of the great sit-on-top paddle kayaks including the...
Where to Fish in April

1 month ago | saltwatersportsman.com | Ric Burnley

I smell the tree blossoms and hear the screeching osprey. Salt spray coats my lips and warmth returns to the sea breeze. That’s when I know April fishing is in full swing. Local fish are hungry, and transient fish are on the move. Get ready for spring’s best fishing at these early-season hotspots. Everyone knows about the phenomenal striped bass fishing in Long Island Sound, but Capt. Bobby Tambascio is excited about tautog.
Boat Lights Improve Fishing, Safety and Entertainment

1 month ago | saltwatersportsman.com | Ric Burnley

There are 24 hours in a day, and roughly half are illuminated by the sun. The other half of the hours are in the dark, but that doesn’t stop me from fishing. Over two-thirds of my fishing trips are after work or before my family wakes up on a weekend, so I rely on boat lights to keep me safe, attract fish and to see in the dark. Over the past few years, the latest technology in materials and construction allows anglers to use lights to turn night into day.
Old Town Releases New Flagship Kayak Updated For Modern Fishing

1 month ago | kayakanglermag.com | Ric Burnley

To meet the needs of the next generation of kayak anglers, Old Town redesigned their fiver-year-running Sportsman line with the latest features to support motors and full electronics packages in the introduction of the new flagship Sportsman 120 PDL PRO. The Sportsman 120 PDL PRO starts with the stable and high-capacity Sportsman hull and reliable PDL drive and adds elements to turn the boat into a formidable tournament fishing platform.
How to Choose and Use an Electric Fishing Reel

1 month ago | saltwatersportsman.com | Ric Burnley

Electric bicycles, electric skateboards and electric kayaks take the work out of having fun, and now electric fishing reels take the cranking out of fishing. An electric reel uses a small motor to turn the spool and retrieve line. The reel is powered by a battery or plugged into the boat’s power and programmed to automatically retrieve and deploy line. Some reels even jig the lure for you. And when a fish is on the line, these reels have the power to fight faster without breaking the fishing line.
The Best Lowrance Fish Finders of 2025

1 month ago | fieldandstream.com | Ric Burnley

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn moreFor over 60 years, Lowrance has led the way in fish finder technology. From the first transistor sonar capable of displaying individual fish to the first DownScan sonar to produce high-resolution images, the fishing brand has grown into the largest manufacturer of marine electronics. Today, Lowrance offers fish finders at every level for every type of fishing and every budget.
The Best Garmin Fish Finders of 2025

2 months ago | fieldandstream.com | Ric Burnley

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn moreToday’s fish finders produce near photo-quality images of the bottom and structure. Not only can anglers see below, but the most advanced fish finders capture the action 360 degrees around the boat. Leading the way into the future of electronics, Garmin has developed some of the most advanced fish finder technology.
Fighting Invasive Blue Catfish in the Chesapeake Bay

2 months ago | saltwatersportsman.com | Ric Burnley

It isn’t often the government tells anglers to catch and keep as many fish as possible, but that’s the case right now with invasive blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay. With a population explosion, blue cats have reached every tributary to the Chesapeake, from the Susquehanna River to the James River, and the only way to battle the negative impact on local fish is to remove blue catfish.
Premium Fishing Coolers Are Worth the Cost

2 months ago | saltwatersportsman.com | Ric Burnley

One corner of my garage is piled to the rafters with coolers. I have picnic coolers, party coolers, soft-sided and hard-sided coolers, but my fishing coolers are a step above the average cooler. My fishing coolers keep fish, bait and drinks cold for hours in scorching sun. At the end of the day, I wash them of fish blood and slime until they are sparkling clean. Then I leave them on the boat to suffer through winters, summers, rain and snow.