An improved fishing rod for use by sports fishermen, the rod including a mechanism for casting the baited hook out into the water. The mechanism consists of an inflatable gas pressure can in the rod handle, gas being released by a trigger so that the released air quickly pushes a piston against a rear end of a rod that is slidable in a rifle-like barrel. A forward end of the rod extends from the barrel and has a cup in which is placed a baited hook attached to the fishing line so that when the rod is struck by the piston it thrusts the baited hook out into the water.