a device for extracting a fish hook from a fish caught thereby comprises a tubular housing with a sliding plunger housed therein fastened to a clamping hook extending beyond the front end of the housing so that when a retractor handle and fixed handle are squeezed together the clamping hook is retracted into the housing whereby it engages any article extending laterally across the two receiving slots and clamps the article therein . the device grips the fish hook and locks it in the receiving slots so that rotation relative to longitudinal axis of the device is prevented while still allowing the hook to rotate within the receiving slots if it is desired . with the fish hook firmly grasped , the device allows the fish hook to be easily and safely manipulated in order to free it from the hooked fish . when a large fish hook or the like is held by the device , said device has the additional ability of serving as a gaff for safely handling dead or live fish .