Nikhil Shetty catches a grouper. Pics/Satej Shinde

A blue rubber slipper floats by in the muddy waters of the Arabian Sea as Vishal Gill, who owns a tackle shop, sits with his fishing line cast in the water, waiting for his first catch of the day. We are at a rocky outstretch in Madh Island, and Gill's impatience is palpable. A fish had only just nibbled at his bait and then made a timely escape before he could pull it in. In the sport of angling, that's as frustrating as it is for a footballer to hit the bar of a goal post when the score is tied in the 90th minute.