Now forgive me for referencing another game, but I was thinking about the Legend of Zelda 64: OOT and how it has a fishing lake mini game with weight and leaderboard positions, and rewards for heavier fish and such.
Why not input a similar mini game for the fishing in XIV? Make me want to play it again at 50, besides for mats for crafting. Maybe in later update put it out near Limsa or something.
Just throwing ideas out there.