A support for a fishing pole extends laterally from a longitudinal axis of the fishing pole when the fishing pole is oriented with the reel vertically above or below the fishing pole and a rotational axis of the reel oriented horizontally. The support has an armrest portion configured to contact the arm of a user holding the fishing pole at a spaced location from the fishing pole. In some configurations, the support comprises a frame and the armrest portion comprises a flexible portion having an unsupported portion extending between spaced-apart portions of the frame. In some configurations, the support provides improved access to a hand grip portion of the fishing pole located axially forward of the reel.