Yeah, getting the silver or bronze trophies can be very difficult. Bruce is currently in first place in my town with a 3.50 inch bitterling!
I think it's easier to get a lower place in the fishing tournaments that force you to catch a single fish. Your villagers tend to do a bit better in those. Or you can just make/use another character. Get first place with one character and second place with the other.
I hope I get second, third, or not even in the top three because it's fun to see who wins, and I'm wondering if Sydney wins again, she's the Queen of fishing and won twice in a row once, lets see if third times the charm (^ω^)