Is it possible to fish all night with a net and catch nothing?
Yes, it is possible. In the account, the disciples went out in a small vessel with nets and fished all night, yet they caught nothing at all. The text emphasizes that this is notable because net fishing usually catches something, making their empty night especially frustrating.
Les explains that after Peter's old life of fishing was done, he told the others he was going fishing, and they went with him. They entered a small vessel large enough for the group and their nets. That night they caught nothing—Les underlines 'nothing' and notes that while it's one thing to fish all day with rod and reel and catch nothing, with a net it seems next to impossible to never catch a single fish. In the morning Jesus stood on the shore, though the disciples did not know it was Him. He asked if they had any meat or food, and they answered no. Les imagines their disgust after fishing all night with no catch.