A fish hook setting device comprising a cylindrical housing containing a plunger and a compression-type coil spring. The plunger includes a head and a shaft. The shaft of the plunger extends through the coil spring which is positioned within the housing between an annular wall formed in the lower end of the housing and an overhanging edge formed by the head of the plunger. The shaft further includes a notch defining an upwardly directed abutment surface. The plunger may be drawn from the housing so as to compress the spring. When the notch is advanced out of the housing the plunger is advanced to one side of the housing so that the abutment surface may be placed in contact with the lower surface of the annular wall to prevent the plunger from retracting until an additional force is applied to the plunger preferably from a fish taking a baited hook secured thereto.
