Fishing rod holder

Claim 1

A combination holder and fishing rod comprising: (a) a fishing rod and handle therefor; (b) a support member of a predetermined length, having a lower end and an upper end, the upper end including a pivotal attachment means for pivotally attaching the holder to the fishing rod a distance from the end of the rod, the distance from the end of the rod being at least equal to the predetermined length, wherein the support member has a finger grip attached thereto and is shaped to conform to the curvature of the handle and wherein a portion of the support member is shaped to conform to an elongated enclosure in the fishing rod; and (c) a variable angle retaining means attached to the upper end of the support member for varying and retaining a support angle between the fishing rod and support member, the retaining means having a bearing member projecting at an angle from the upper end of the support member and a variable spacing means attached to the bearing member for varying and retaining the angle and/or spacing between the bearing member and the fishing rod thereby retaining the support angle, whereby the lower end of the support member may be driven into a supporting surface and when desired removed from said surface and the support member may freely pivot and close upon the end of the fishing rod to provide a smoothly contoured handle.