Patent ID: 7621066

Claim:
A device for supporting a fishing rod relative to a user's torso, including: a support frame assembly comprising a substantially rigid first frame member having a first curvilinear upper region adapted to overlie a first shoulder of a user and a substantially linear lower region adapted to overlie a chest region of a user in a frame assembly working position with the first curvilinear region supported by the first shoulder, and a substantially rigid second frame member having a second curvilinear upper region adapted to overlie a second, opposite shoulder of a user and a second substantially linear lower region adapted to overlie a chest region of a user in the frame assembly working position with the second curvilinear region supported by the second shoulder; said frame assembly further comprising a substantially flat and rigid panel, and a connecting structure for fixing the panel with respect to the first and second frame members to position the panel in a generally upright orientation and in overlying relation to an abdominal region of a user in the frame assembly working position, wherein the connecting structure comprises an elongate, substantially rigid first connecting member pivotally connected to the panel, an elongate substantially rigid second connecting member pivotally connected to the panel, a first connecting component for securing the first connecting member integrally and releasably to the first frame member, and a second frame member connecting component for securing the second connecting member integrally and releasably to the second frame member, first and second elongate slots formed through the first and second connecting members, respectively, wherein each of the first and second connecting components extends through its associated one of the slots and is selectively positionable along the length of its associated slot to secure the associated connector member and frame member, whereby the first and second connecting components are operable to selectively adjust a distance between the panel and the first frame member and a distance between the panel and the second frame member; an elongate receptacle adapted to integrally and releasably hold a handle of a fishing rod; and a coupling structure for securing the receptacle integrally and at a predetermined working angle relative to the panel to enable a user, with the frame assembly in the working position, to control a location of a fishing rod so held in the receptacle through selective torso movement.