In FFXI, Fishing was even more challenging then it is here right now. You had to "fight" the fish before you were able to reel it in and yes, i loved this challenge! Not many people (expect Bots...) took Fishing to 100 there. I was one of them and i tell you, i had fun each and every level. It had a kinda more realistic feeling to it. I really liked it to go to the little lake in West Ronfaure, turn off names, switch to first-person-view and fish there for many hours for moat carps. Or the legendary Selbina-Mhaura-Ferry rides, the lovely music there, fishing for Befhel Marlins, Nebimonite and sometimes challenging a Ryuga Titan.

I did Fishing in WoW too and it was sooo sooo sooo boring! No challenge at all. Every stupid (i apologize in advance) player was able to reel in fish. And yes, i did "fishing" in Aion too and this was also so extremly boring. Brain-AFK-Item-Gathering. {Thanks for the offer, but i'll have to pass.}

Fishing here in FFXIV is different. It feels, at least to me, easier then it was in FFXI. Once you get a hang of it, like with every other DoL class, it's easy to get the items you want. All in all, i like the DoL classes here in FFXIV more then i did in FFXI, expect for fishing, but meh, i can live with the change.

As for Zephyrs concerns, i can only assume that you choose the wrong bait. There are baits for freshwater and baits for saltwater fishing. You won't be able to catch anything if you use a saltwater bait in freshwaters. And the other way round. I also have situations where nothing bites for sometimes 4 times in a row. But if i use the right bait in the right waters, then i get bites regularly.

I think they made fishing a little different then miner and botanist because, for fishing, you can just choose your spot and stand there all day. No running around, no use for fishing skills. Well, that is, if you only go fishing. If you're into spearfishing then for that you've to run around too. But most people just go for the real fish.

Another thing you might want to consider is the fact, that fishing already has R6-10 spots. And you can start fishingthere right from the start (R1) with the right bait and get the fully capped SP (around 300~) from R1 all the way to R50. Which means, you can skill up Fishing way faster then you could botanist and/or miner.

Of course i can't tell if the possibilty to fish at R10 spots has something to do with the time you've to spend to hit fatigue. But as for me, i'm fine with the system how it is at the moment. =)