If you are that new as you say you are... I suggest you start to know the world.
just walk through all the cities, talk to the npcs and know what they offer
go in the wilderness and kill every new enemy you see thats close to your level (incase you dont want to die)
now i can answer your questions without seeing you spamming the world chat in the future
1. explorers come closest to a mage class
2. builds are different cause you can focus on sea skills and land skills. choose what you prefer
stats are just the same.. spirit is for spell dmg and sp.
while there are quite alot of people who go with strength and use melee combat more.
(dont expect me to give you a full build cause trial and error are the best teachers)
3. if you want to fish.. you need a boat with a fishing net and the fishing skill form any grocer in any town,
then use your fishing skill on a fishing spot on the map
Happy hunting
