Hi there
If it is any help to you - my great great grandfather was a Thomas Mitchell. He was born in 1812 in Winchelsea. On the 1841, 1851 and 1861 Census he was described as either a Carpenter or a Builder but not a Fisherman! He died in 1862.
He married Mary Ann Rason on June 17th 1834 at Fairlight, Hastings.
I hope this helps - even if it only eliminates him from your research!
Regards
Ann