A fishing hook retaining apparatus is provided. In a first aspect, a first member and a second member of the fishing hook retaining apparatus oppose one another and pivotally rotate about a shaft from a closed position to an open position when compressive force is applied to lower portions of the first and second members. While open, an operator may insert a fishing hook into the fishing hook retaining device and subsequently release the applied force to permit the first and second members to close and thus secure the fishing hook within the fishing hook retaining device. In a second aspect, when in the closed position, the first and second members not only secure the fishing hook therewithin, but compressively grip a cylindrical rod placed therebetween, which secures the fishing hook retaining apparatus to the cylindrical rod, wherein the cylindrical rod is a fishing pole.
