The fishing rod holder has a first rod support portion to support a bottom surface of an upper section of a fishing rod handle. The fishing rod holder has a second rod support portion to support a lower section of the fishing rod handle. The first rod support section has an upwardly facing base plate. The second rod support portion has a downwardly facing top plate. The rod holder has an opening defined therein to permit a handle of a fishing rod to pass through. The second rod support portion has a base wall against which an end of the fishing rod handle may rest.