This is a previous thread about this issue:
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/637293/wrothgar-fishing-is-this-a-bug-or-feature
As you can see in the thread, there was hope that the fix of sharp's passive would fix this problem. The issue of pulling up no fish IS fixed, but it is still impossible to catch the fish with his passive unlocked.
Before update 39, I spent about 12 hours fishing in the correct location with artaeum pickled fish bowl, both slottable CP stars, and sharp's passive, and the correct bait (worms). No luck. I had multiple people come and group with me for the group fishing bonus, and those without sharp's passive got the achievement within the first few fishing holes. One person who did have sharp out (but not the permanent passive) fished with me for at least an hour and half, then put sharp away and immediately caught the fish on his next hole.
After update 39, I tried it again, hoping it was fixed. I have been at it for 4 hours this time, still no luck. I have again had people come and group with me, and those without sharp's passive caught it on either their first or second hole.
It's extremely frustrating that someone's dumb coding mistake wastes a day of my life. And to rub salt in the wound you've reduced the amount of daily quests needed for murkmire prepper by 80%. More hours and hours of my life wasted on literally achieving nothing...