A generally elongate fishing apparatus having an aperture and a slot of sufficient width to allow a fishing line introduced into the slot to enter the aperture, the fishing apparatus further including a necked portion adjacent to a distal end that is adjacent to the aperture. A fisherman can avoid unwanted discomfort by introducing a fishing line into the aperture through the slot, wrapping the fishing line around the necked portion and by then gripping and pulling a handle portion of the fishing apparatus to pull tension into the fishing line to, for example, pull the fishing line free of an underwater obstruction or debris or to pull a fish captured on a hook on and end of the fishing line towards a boat, pier or dock and within a sufficient proximity for the fisherman to use a net to lift the fish from the water.
