A fish-holding device, comprising a hollow tube (6) with a channel (12); a hook (1) attached to the distal end of the tube (6); a movable element (2) inserted in the hollow tube and guided along the channel by a release element (7) attached to the movable element, the movable element being guided for being slidable between a closed position, wherein an end of the movable element (2) abuts against a free and blunt end of the hook, and an open position, wherein the movable element is associated with a spring that biases the movable element towards the closed position; and wherein the channel (12) includes a plurality of lateral retaining grooves (5) configured to house the release element (7) in different positions along the channel.