A shock suppression system for a fishing rod is mounted to a fishing rod and connected to the secure end of the fishing line for dampening the movement of the secure end of the toward the tip of the rod when a force is applied to the free end of the line by a fish hooked on the line. The invention may include a piston attached to a cartridge that is mounted to the handle portion of the fishing rod. The piston is attached in sliding engagement to the cartridge, which has a mechanism for dampening the movement of the piston toward the rod tip. Such a mechanism may be found in pneumatic cylinders, hydraulic cylinders or compression spring systems as found on a screen door for a home.