Hard-up Jason Teer was soon reeled in after netting a £243 haul of smoked salmon from Waitrose.
He was caught near the Milton Street shop and the fish was recovered, magistrates in Nottingham heard.
Teer, 45, admitted theft on April 9 and was given a six-month conditional discharge. He must pay a £20 government surcharge.
Sanjay Jerath, prosecuting, told the court: "He stated that he was stealing the goods because he was short of money."
He said the offence was committed before Teer was in court on other matters and suggested this would have made no difference to the sentence.
Helen Rooks, mitigating, agreed and said Teer is making good progress on a court order intended to halt his use of drugs.
"There was no sophistication to the offence. All the items were recovered. He fully complied and was co-operative," said Miss Rooks.
The surcharge will be taken from benefits paid to Teer who lives in Blue Bell Hill Road, St Ann's.
Presiding magistrate Marion Smalley told him: "We hear you are making good progress with your community order and we don't want to interfere with that."
