Abstract: There is provided a fishing aid which includes a body, means on the body for attaching one end of a fishing line thereto, and a slot in the body into which the fishing line can be inserted. Within the slot is biased retention means for holding the line in the slot when no tension is on the line, and for releasing the line from the slot when the line tension tending to pull the line out of the slot exceeds a predetermined level. In a preferred form, the biased retention means may include a first and a second member, each movable within respective passageways which are oriented transversely to the slot, with springs or similar members urging the first and second members into positions blocking the slot.