Abstract: A rod holder for use when trolling from a fishing vessel, the rod holder having a tubular support member slidably receivable within the gunwale rod holder of the boat, the lower end of the support member being notched so as to engage in locking relationship with a cross bar at the lower end of the gunwale rod holder, the support member having articulating mounted thereon, a generally cylindrical rod holder rotatable from a generally horizontal, trolling orientation to a generally vertical orientation for ease of removal of the fishing rod from the generally cylindrical fishing rod holder when a strike has occurred. The generally cylindrical rod holder is limited in its articulation by means of a rocker arm which prevents the rod holder from rotating below the horizontal.