A fishing pole holder for supporting a fishing pole then for lifting the pole in response to a pull on the fishing line is formed by a swingable handle engaging socket mounted upon a ground or other support and biased to a vertically upright position by a coil spring. The pole handle socket is latched in a generally horizontal position by a line releasable latch mechanism. Upon a pull on the fishing line in response to a bite by a fish on the bait, the latch is released and the pole swung upwardly to tension the line and set the hook. In the upright position, the pole is held with the line under tension to prevent escape of the fish.