You can’t talk about Virginia Beach fishing without talking about Ric Burnley. He’s caught just about every fish that swims in the mid-Atlantic—billfish, cobias, drums, and stripers are just several among the many species he’s hooked. Our paths crossed in the mid-2000s after he published his seminal book, “The Complete Kayak Fisherman,” when I worked at another fishing magazine.
During a lull in the winter fishing show circuit he invited me (or more likely I invited myself) to kayak fish with him and Kayak Kevin Whitley at the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel for stripers. At night, no less. As soon as their ’yaks hit the water, those boys were gone like phantoms in the night, cutting through the chop with all deliberate speed. I can’t say with 100 percent conviction that they ditched me on purpose, but then again they were a lot younger. I was taking my sweet time rigging up. Regardless, I caught only three rockfish all night. Getting back to the landing in one piece was my top priority.
Born in Wilmington, DE, more than four decades ago, Ric is the son of Eric and Barbara Burnley. The senior Burley, of course, is not only a PropTalk contributor, but he’s also perhaps the Dean of the First State’s fishing writers. As you’d expect, Ric grew up on the water, and he and younger brother Roger tagged along with Dad on fishing trips “…and spent winter weekends at fishing shows manning the Fisherman booth since I was old enough to hand out magazines.”
The Burnleys moved to Virginia Beach in the late 80s, and after Ric graduated from Radford University, he spent two years in Western Russia with the Peace Corps, returning to Virginia Beach in the late 90s with his now wife, Natasha. Not long afterward, they welcomed daughter Daria to the family.
In addition to his writing, which is nothing short of prolific, he teaches English at an alternative school for at-risk teens. I recently caught up with him as October’s “Top Hook.”
PropTalk’s Chris$: Your job—writer, editor, photographer—allows you to fish on everything from custom Carolina sport fishers and center consoles to kayaks and from the surf: Got a favorite?
Ric Burnley: It’s hard to pick a favorite. I love something about every type of fishing: The power of a 60-foot sportfisher; the adaptability of a 20-foot center console; the freedom of kayak fishing; and the simplicity of surf fishing. I tend to get geeked out on one type of fishing for a couple of weeks and then move onto something different. I just spent seven days straight kayak fishing for cobia, kings, and big drum off Sandbridge (Virginia coast). Then, I went rabid about marlin fishing out of Virginia Beach. Before that, I spent every free minute chasing dolphin from my 20-foot center console. By late September, I’ll turn my life over to surf fishing for drum.
What’s the most wary fish you’ve encountered?
Tarpon. They are everywhere (on the lower Eastern Shore), but they won’t bite. We’ll spend hours and days watching them surface and roll without getting a bite.
What famous person—real or fictional—would you like to fish with and why?
Hemingway, of course. I’m a big fan of his writing. I admire his economy with words and subtleness and power of his message. He gets it. He understands how outdoors and adventure are essential to life. With today’s technology, he would really push the limits of fishing.
What’s your favorite snack/food on your yak/boat?
I eat the same thing: Pop-Tart for breakfast, ham and cheese on pita, apple, granola bars. Combos fill the cracks.
What piece of gear won’t you leave the dock/shore without?
I always take my personal locator beacon. It gives me a safety net.
What song or radio program always gets you ready to fish?
My favorite part of the day is listening to news radio and drinking a cup of coffee on the way to the dock. Sometimes it’s my most productive part of the day.
by Captain Chris D. Dollar
Tuesday, September 27, 2016 - 08:30
You can’t talk about Virginia Beach fishing without talking about Ric Burnley. He’s caught just about every fish that swims in the mid-Atlantic—billfish, cobias, drums, and stripers are just several among the many species he’s hooked. Our paths crossed in the mid-2000s after he published his seminal book, “The Complete Kayak Fisherman,” when I worked at another fishing magazine.
During a lull in the winter fishing show circuit he invited me (or more likely I invited myself) to kayak fish with him and Kayak Kevin Whitley at the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel for stripers. At night, no less. As soon as their ’yaks hit the water, those boys were gone like phantoms in the night, cutting through the chop with all deliberate speed. I can’t say with 100 percent conviction that they ditched me on purpose, but then again they were a lot younger. I was taking my sweet time rigging up. Regardless, I caught only three rockfish all night. Getting back to the landing in one piece was my top priority.
Born in Wilmington, DE, more than four decades ago, Ric is the son of Eric and Barbara Burnley. The senior Burley, of course, is not only a PropTalk contributor, but he’s also perhaps the Dean of the First State’s fishing writers. As you’d expect, Ric grew up on the water, and he and younger brother Roger tagged along with Dad on fishing trips “…and spent winter weekends at fishing shows manning the Fisherman booth since I was old enough to hand out magazines.”
The Burnleys moved to Virginia Beach in the late 80s, and after Ric graduated from Radford University, he spent two years in Western Russia with the Peace Corps, returning to Virginia Beach in the late 90s with his now wife, Natasha. Not long afterward, they welcomed daughter Daria to the family.
In addition to his writing, which is nothing short of prolific, he teaches English at an alternative school for at-risk teens. I recently caught up with him as October’s “Top Hook.”
PropTalk’s Chris$: Your job—writer, editor, photographer—allows you to fish on everything from custom Carolina sport fishers and center consoles to kayaks and from the surf: Got a favorite?
Ric Burnley: It’s hard to pick a favorite. I love something about every type of fishing: The power of a 60-foot sportfisher; the adaptability of a 20-foot center console; the freedom of kayak fishing; and the simplicity of surf fishing. I tend to get geeked out on one type of fishing for a couple of weeks and then move onto something different. I just spent seven days straight kayak fishing for cobia, kings, and big drum off Sandbridge (Virginia coast). Then, I went rabid about marlin fishing out of Virginia Beach. Before that, I spent every free minute chasing dolphin from my 20-foot center console. By late September, I’ll turn my life over to surf fishing for drum.
What’s the most wary fish you’ve encountered?
Tarpon. They are everywhere (on the lower Eastern Shore), but they won’t bite. We’ll spend hours and days watching them surface and roll without getting a bite.
What famous person—real or fictional—would you like to fish with and why?
Hemingway, of course. I’m a big fan of his writing. I admire his economy with words and subtleness and power of his message. He gets it. He understands how outdoors and adventure are essential to life. With today’s technology, he would really push the limits of fishing.
What’s your favorite snack/food on your yak/boat?
I eat the same thing: Pop-Tart for breakfast, ham and cheese on pita, apple, granola bars. Combos fill the cracks.
What piece of gear won’t you leave the dock/shore without?
I always take my personal locator beacon. It gives me a safety net.
What song or radio program always gets you ready to fish?
My favorite part of the day is listening to news radio and drinking a cup of coffee on the way to the dock. Sometimes it’s my most productive part of the day.
by Captain Chris D. Dollar