A device for "setting" a hook in the mouth of a fish when the fish pulls at the bait on the hook, the invention is attached to spaced ends of a fishing line between the user and the hook. The present device comprises a shaft member which carries a tension spring along its length and which has a trip arm pivotally attached to its lower end. The tension spring releasably engages the trip arm along its length and holds the trip arm under tension at right angles to the shaft member. A relatively short length of fishing line is tied to a lower portion of the tension spring and is threaded through the trip arm. A relatively long length of fishing line is tied to the upper end of the shaft member and extends to a fishing pole or rod or a trotline. A fish pulling on a baited hook tied to the free end of the relatively short length of fishing line causes the trip arm to be pulled into alignment with the shaft member, thereby releasing the tensioned spring from engagement with the trip arm. The spring contracts to snap the hook toward the upper end of the shaft member, thereby setting the hook in the mouth of the fish.
