No, hooking the fish with the rod in the rodholder would not disqualify the catch – but that has not always been the case. Several years ago, the IGFA changed their rules to state the following: “If a rod holder is used, once the fish is hooked, the angler must remove the rod from the rod holder as quickly as possible.” This rule change was specifically designed to better accommodate big-game, heavy-tackle anglers who are using large, cumbersome tackle.