Abstract: A fishing tool to snag and to retrieve cables from wells. The tool includes an elongated body which has two ends, a substantial length, and peripheral boundary of lesser lateral dimensions than a well down which the tool is to be sent with the first of its ends pointed down. A snag member is pivotally mounted to the body so that its free end faces toward one of the ends and so that its free end is movable toward and away from the peripheral boundary. Bias means biases the shank to move the free end toward the peripheral boundary, and a detent is interposed between the snag member and the body releasably to hold the snag member with its free end away from the boundary in opposition to the bias force, where it can be released upon contact with an object. The body or the snag member is provided with a snag recess to receive part of the cable.