Abstract: In a fishing rod having a handle and a reel attached to the handle, the improvement comprising, a trigger-clamp having a body disposed on the handle on a side thereof opposite the reel and a finger grip extending outwardly in a direction away from the handle; and, a plurality of bolts inserted through the trigger body, one end of each of the bolts being engaged with the trigger body and the other end of each of the bolts being connected to a structural member of the reel. Preferably the other end of each of the bolts is threaded and there are plates for threadedly coupling the bolts to the reel. Also preferably, the structural member of the reel comprises a plurality of cross-bars connecting a pair of side members and the plates are disposed on the cross-bars on sides thereof opposite the trigger body.