Stainless steel pan too hot?
Heat the stainless steal pan on medium-high.
After its hot add your oil. 
You'll know your pan is hot enough when the oil has wavy movment when you tilt your pan.
Now raise the temperature gradually until the oil begins become only slighty darker.
If you've reached smoke point you are done (the pan should only be SLIGHTLY smoking)
Remove any excess oil and add new oil.

Cook.

Small amounts of oil are needed for fish without the skin.  But if the skin is on and your trying to get it crispy all of the skin on the surface of the fish must be submerged in water to get an effective crust.