Figure 1 is a perspective view of the present invention in use. Shown is a physically challenged sportsman wearing the fishing rod holder harness. The body pad can be selectively positioned on either the right or left side of the user. The harness member can be adjusted to fit any size user by independently adjusting the belt element through the belt element buckle and the bandoleer like buckle element. The butt of the fishing rod can be inserted into the holder and selectively retained therein by engaging the compression-locking member using the pivotal L-shaped handle.

Figure 2 is a side view of the present invention and sportsman as shown in Fig 1. Shown is a physically challenged sportsman wearing the fishing rod holder harness having a fishing rod locked into the fishing rod holder. The fishing rod holder harness is comprised of a harness member, body pad member and fishing rod holder member. The harness member can be tensionally adjusted to the height and girth of the user using the appropriate buckle elements. The body pad member which provides a stable platform to secure the fishing rod holder can be selectively located on either the right or left side of the user. Once selectively located the fishing rod holder member is fixedly secured to the body pad member preventing further pivotal movement. Further more, the fishing rod holder has a selective locking member for increasing or decreasing the diameter of the rod holder.

Figure 3 is a side view of the present invention and sportsman as shown in Fig 2. Shown is a physically challenged sportsman wearing the harness and fishing rod holder. The fishing rod holder is comprised of a harness member, body pad member and fishing rod holder member. The harness member can be tensionally adjusted to the height and girth of the user. The body pad member which provides a stable platform to secure the fishing rod holder can be selectively located on either the right or left side of the user. The fishing rod holder being bolted to the body pad can be angularly adjusted and fixed secured by the bolt from further pivotal movement. Also shown is the lock-clamping member in the open position where the user can remove the rod for casting and work the lure.

Figure 4 is an enlarged partial view of the present invention showing the locking mechanism of the rod holder. The lock handle member is shown in the locked position wherein a spring which causes the rod holder to expand to the fully open position in compressed. Also shown is a nut exteriorly attached to a threaded member passing through the spring element. The nut can be used to increase or decrease the longitudinal gap and therein increasing or decreasing the clamping force of the rod holder on the rod.

Figure 5 is an end view of the rod holder, showing a substantially U-shaped tube having a bolt fixedly attaching the rod holder to the body pad. Also shown is a threaded member passing through each side of the U-shaped member having a nut fixedly attached to one end of said threaded member for selectively increasing or decreasing the distance between the sides. Also shown is a spring element which causes the sides to expand to a fully open position and a locking handle which forced the side together thereby compressing the spring.

Figure 6 is a cutaway end view of the rod holder showing the sides of the U-shaped tube. The shaft element passing through each side of the U-shaped member has an adjustable fastener fixedly attached on the threaded end for selectively increasing or decreasing the gap between the sides. Pivotally attached to the other end is the L-shaped lever in the open position which is determined by having the longest end of the lever parallel to the shaft element. The shaft element mounted spring forces the tube sides into a spaced apart condition. This configuration provides the user with a single means for selectively releasing the fishing rod from the holder while still maintaining the positioning of the rod within the holder.

Figure 7 is a cutaway end view of the rod holder showing the sides of the U-shaped tube. The shaft element passing through each side of the U-shaped member has an adjustable fastener fixedly attached on the threaded end for selectively increasing or decreasing the gap between the sides. Pivotally attached to the other end is the L-shaped lever in the open position which is determined by having the shortest end of the lever in a transaxle position to the shaft element. The shaft element mounted spring forces the tube sides into a spaced apart condition. This configuration provides the user with a single means for selectively positioning the rod within the holder and selectively clamping therein by pivoting the lever until the short end is parallel to the shaft element.