I was just entirely missing the entire part where the Hands did creel fishing when they weren't assigned a task. The catch log does say where each one is caught which was what was throwing me off (had no idea the hands were extra people since when they unlocked I was in the Pier Board menu and couldn't see them and since it had a notification which it went away after I clicked the assign hand button to a task I just left it at that)
Was odd the landoustine and curled octopus were continuing to be caught since I had all hands assigned to help tasks and none were out fishing.
I do wish there was a toggle to turn the notifications of Notice quests popping up on the Pier Board off since there's nothing really there that's interactable that needs my attention. Oh and if there was a better way to see which errands have free level-ups without tabbing through each active task. Other than that it's an all around solid time with a charming atmosphere to chill on.
Viewing post in The Wee Pier - An Island Fishing Idle comments
Thanks for coming back to it, and for writing all that out. The langoustine and octopus kept coming because once you have Give Them a Job (or Mending ★50), hands keep hauling their creels while they're off on errands. The game never tells you that, so that's on me. The next update also spreads the hands over the other spots on their own, going for catches you haven't logged yet, so you won't be stuck with the one pair. Missing the hands arriving while the Pier board was open is a good catch, and I've noted the notices toggle and an easier way to see which errands have a free level-up. Glad it's a nice one to chill with.