Makes up for it, catching the fish does (8)
I believe the answer is:
consoles
'makes up for it' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'catching the fish does' is the wordplay.
'catching' indicates putting letters inside.
'the fish' becomes 'sole' (sole is a kind of fish**).
'does' becomes 'cons' (both can mean to commit fraud).
'sole' inserted inside 'cons' is 'CONSOLES'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for consoles that I've seen before include "Comforts about coolness" , "Gives solace" .)