Abstract: The fishing rod holder has an entrance opening in its front wall portion located intermediate its opposite ends, with slot portions extending longitudinally from the opening in both directions. A supporting element of resiliently deformable material is seated in the upper section of the passageway, and a flexible retaining member is adapted for disengageable securement on the body across the upper slot portion. A fishing rod, with a mounted reel, can be assembled with the holder by inserting its lower end through the entrance opening, sliding the rod downwardly in the passageway while lowering its grip portion toward the supporting element, and thereafter affixing the retaining member in place.