Celestial

Nobody knows. The mod who originally designed fishing is not around anymore, and fishing is planned to be remade Eventually^TM.

Seriously though, as the system is currently, I would recommend you go chef instead. It has all the same buffs but you are more likely to get items that way. Seriously, I am the only active fisherman for a reason. Trust me on this xD

Yes, that was why I was asking; the math just doesn't work out otherwise. Thank you for answer. Would you recommend Chef over Alchemist? I've more or less narrowed it down to those two.

Yeah, the math isn't that sound :P

Your question depends on why you want to pick a profession.

Alchemists are in the highest demand, and never need to fear a lack of customers due to the many uses they provide. If you want guaranteed customers and success, you may want to consider going alchemist.

Chefs provide buffs that other professions can't, including a damage buff that can stack with alchemy potions at the price of evasion. They also make luck items and accuracy items and many other very strong foods. So if you want utility and great stat boosts that you can sneak from your own shop, as in use your shop in part for personal gain instead of profit, go chef.

That's my personal opinion on the matter. As I went fisherman you can assume I'd go chef.