The fishing rod with casting mechanism enables an angler to cast a lure or the like by cocking or arming the mechanism and pressing the release. The device includes a central stock having a lower brace and upper tubular member spaced apart from the lower brace, with forward and rearward plates connecting the brace and tube. A spinning reel is installed between the lower brace and upper tube. A coil compression spring and a plurality of elastic tensile members in tandem therewith is installed in the upper tubular member. A telescoping rod extends from the forward plate, and a handle extends from the rear plate. The mechanism propels a projectile (lure, sinker, float, etc.) and tackle (hook, lure, etc.) when the compressed spring and extended elastic bands are released. The projectile draws the fishing line from the reel. The projectile and tackle are reeled in conventionally after the cast.