Abstract: An automatic fishing apparatus is disclosed which comprises a reel means mounted on a free clutch plate of a clutch assembly. A second clutch plate of the clutch assembly is provided on a driven shaft which also passes through the first plate. Two members are provided with bevelled surfaces one of the members having a rod which is moved when a fish takes a line coupled with the rod. Movement of the rod causes rotational movement of one of the members and also lateral movement of one of the members, which lateral movement is transmitted to the free clutch plate to force the free clutch plate against the driven clutch plate so that drive is transmitted to the free clutch plate and the reel means to reel in the line. Once the fish is reeled in the fish contacts the rod which causes the rod to move to return the said one of the members to its original position to separate the clutch plates to thereby stop the rotation of the reel means.