an article of fishing tackle comprising an open compartment , preferably in the form of a cone having an aperture through which a fishing line can pass and being adapted to be mounted on a fishing line above a hook , the density of the article being little different from water so that during casting and retrieval it moves to a position adjacent the hook to protect the bait on the hook and the hook but when the hook is in the water it moves away from the hook to enable fish to strike the hook .