Don't forget torches (rs and light) on this list.
must just be my luck then, ill keep trying
edit: I repaired the original rod that i was using to about half its durability and kept going. It broke, leaving me with more items but no nametags. I switched to an unenchanted rod and depleted the health of that one as well, i am not getting any name tags at all.
being submerged in water lowers the damage you can deal, just as not standing on firm ground lowers the damage you can deal. This explains why the salmon/cod take 7 hits from an iron sword.