Slam

Yes, worm grunting (smaller fish) and bushmeat (bigger fish) are good early game sources of early game bait, and stink bait isn’t much more difficult.
there is a in-game guide on fishing, which should tell you anything else you would need to know, but I have not personally read it since it boils down to: add bait, cast, catch, change body’s of water if you stop catching or unable to catch fish.
i would atleast wait until you get a pot and bowl though, since cool fish only gives 100 sat, but in a meal it’s 375 per.

97.5%  landmass, but I live next to a fairly large ocean, and with plans to make a trading post, moving materials to and from a couple thousand blocks would be equally as convenient as automated grain, and I already have most of my armor done. Brigandine chest, leather helmet and legging, till it gets replaced by gambeson. Leather rn because no downsides, and your less likely to get hit in the head and legs (I can’t remember and can’t find the %chance, though I know it 50% chest, then 30% and 20%)
but thank you everyone for your recommendations, I appreciate it.