Abstract: A bowed steel support rod has one end inserted in the ground and the other extending upwardly therefrom. A fishing rod has its butt end fixed to the support rod near the point of insertion in the ground and an intermediate portion is captured within a U-shaped opening of a latch member fixed to the outboard end of the rod and held thereby by a pivotable trigger which overlies the open end of the U-shaped latch member and is frictionally maintained in position. The tension of the fishing line acts on the trigger to pivot the trigger upon the fish striking the lure on the end of the line and rotates the trigger to release the bowed fishing rod which flexes to automatically set the hook.