Irritating way to want fish (8)

I believe the answer is:

needling

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'irritating way' is the definition.
'needling' can be an answer for 'irritating'. I'm not certain of the 'way' bit.

'want fish' is the wordplay.
'want' becomes 'need' (needing is a kind of wanting).
'fish' becomes 'ling' (ling is a kind of fish).
'need'+'ling'='NEEDLING'

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for needling that I've seen before include "Doing embroidery" , "Provoking or annoying by continual criticism" , "irksome" , "Aggravating" , "Goading or provoking" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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