Have to admit this is one part of the game that irks me to no end. While fishing poles are now available as a rare drop in specific places, you still have to buy the bait from the Trader even if you don't buy the fishing pole from him.

How my avatar can remember /relearn the crafting of weapons and armor, build ships and castles, yet have no clue about how to make any kind of fishing implement (pole, net, spear, etc.) nor can figure out where to dig for bait , is a major WTF?

In the interests of sanity I just ignore fishing altogether.