An apparatus for use with a fishing rod and reel is provided, which allows ease of use by a person who has the ability to effectively use only one arm and/or hand. The reel has a reel foot and crankshaft, and the rod has a rod seat. The apparatus includes a mounting body having a mounting body foot securely but removably receivable by the rod seat, and also having a mounting body seat in which the reel foot is securely but removably receivable. The apparatus further comprises an electric motor having a drive shaft, a motor mounting means for fixedly but removably mounting the motor to the mounting body, and a linkage mechanism for mechanically linking the drive shaft of the motor to the crankshaft of the reel.