If you asked me this 15 yrs ago when I was fishing the back waters of the Ohio River in Indiana, I would have said solid 7.  Now that I live in Virginia and am fishing mainly a mountain lake reservoir, I would say 5, maybe, on a consistant basis, but getting better.  This is why I have so much respect for the pro guys.  I think it is incredibly difficult to go to different lakes, with different climates and water and catch fish consistently.  But there is one thing for sure, I am a very determined person and once I make my mind up to do something, then fish lookout.  Always striving for that 10.

Not to be a doubting Thomas but I think most of you guys....even without knowing you, have rated yourself way too high. If 9 is a Pro, a 7 or 8 is just about right there. Let's be serious for a little while. I don't put much stock into the word Pro, but I've met very few fishermen who were really amazing at what they did. Maybe we have a board full of them here, but again I doubt it.

How do you prove it? I've fished about 80 tournaments with the past 6 years, I've won 45 outright and finished in the top 3 in about 70. I'd say that is consistant but I'll be the first to tell you that these are club events. In the grand scheme of things....who cares. What does it all mean? Maybe I have a knack for it but how can you really judge how good you are? Go to the Classic? I know there are non Pro's who can and would beat the snot out of guys like Ike, Van Dam etc. They just have no drive to compete like that.

Simply put, I have confidence that I can catch fish just about anywhere in any situation but as far as rating myself overall......I'm not sure that there is a consistant number. I know that on a cloudy day like today, I can go to my favorite lake and catch 3lb and 4lb bass on a jig and pig until my arm falls off. I know alot of guys who have come with me and can't do that. This is all relative. It is good to have confidence but not an ego.

My rating: Confident but not arrogant! I can't put a number on that.

T-R said-"Walk softly but carry a big stick". He obviously meant a 7ft heavy action Kistler Helium LTA. I followed his advice and I've done well with it.

as a fisherman - 7

as a bass fisherman - 4

between a 4 and a 5 ;D

I'd say 6....but I have my days where I start to wonder if I'm a 1

I agree with that earthworm. Maybe I did rate to high but like you said, how can one really rate fishing skills? I don't believe in the word "pro" either, it's a joke imo.

On some days it seems like you can do nothing wrong but on others, you likely would have been better off sleeping in. It is all about consistency in my book.

There is NO QUESTION that I am without a doubt firmly placed somewhere in the middle of or just between a SOLID, and I'm talkin' SOLID one or a two........as witnessed by my 4lb bucketmouth that I caught in April and the skunking I have taken the last 4 or 5 outings.

I'd say I'm a 5, but I usually do better than the other amateurs fishing nearby. I have to stay away from the pros, I'd be so embarassed I'd never fish again.

On both local clubs that I fished, (one just twenty members, the other 125), I won angler of the year each of the four years that I competed.  Mark me down as a 10. Then I moved up to regional and national events, and I immediately realized that I was a middle of the road angler compared with the real pro's. Move me down to a 5.

I fish the co-angler side of FLW and truthfully, I think I could have outfished about 1/2 of the 22 pro's I've been with these last 2 years. Even so, that's not saying I could go make a  living at it. Most guys on the tours are losing money even if they do make it to an occasional championship.  Some of the very best anglers on a particular lake don't stray too far from it, so when you fish against them in regional events, they are tougher to beat than the touring pro's especially in a one day event. So, overall, I'm talented about half the time.

saltwater Im a 9.5

catfishing Im a 7

and bass Im a 5 and moving up.

if i can find them i'll catch'em, thats why i fish with a partner

My wife says I'm a 10, but I don't think I'm that good looking!!!   LOL!!!

OOOOH, you mean fishing skills.

I catch fish every time I go out, most are 1 1/2 to

3 lbs.

I haven't landed anything over 4 1/2 lbs.

I'd say maybe a 3.

But not satisfied with that and I'm shooting for a 10.

I've got natural talents.The problem is somedays I figure out how to use them and some days I do not.

I'd have to honestly give myself a 4 to a 5.  Since I started fishing the clearer, cooler lakes of Northern California, it is a bit more frustrating. for me. (Vs the dingier waters of Indiana)

Also, the last couple of years I have gone out and purchased more different types of lures, rods, reels, etc.  I catch myself second guessing myself quite often.  I love to fish, especially for the relaxation and the serenity of the water.....but I need to get more focused when I am out there.  Frankly, I seem to like to fish by meself more and more.  I am too nice of a host when I take others.  Hope that makes sense.

Bass Fishing - 8 fished 200 days a year + since i was 5 yrs old so i better be good lol i catch fish almost every trip but i might be lower if i fished different lakes but ive got my lake down pat

When I was up north guideing on the river I think I was about an 8, but I moved down here, got a new bass boat and live on the lake and fish almost everyday.  The problem is I can't catch fish now and I am probably a 1...""HELP""  LOL

                 CPR ;D

I really feel like im a really solid 6 probly higher but definetly atleast a six and I agree with earthworm that way to many people over rate them selves and that it is about consistancy i feel im a good fisherman bc i catch good fish many different ways in many different conditions I know what to use when and that is what obviously makes me consistant and a solid fisherman once I get a better boat I think my rating could increase

i would have to say, from the bank i'm a 4.  i seem to have trouble, but i am peristent.  from a boat (which i dont have :-[), i'd have to say 6.  i seem to catch em everytime i go out on one (friends).  so i guess, i would say, it's hard to judge if you dont have a boat yourself.

5, with my moments at both ends.  I do have to say that I can usually get at least one to bite every time.

After reading earthworms post, I have re-thought this and he is absolutely right.  Changing my rank to a 6.

uh.......9......i caught a 13 1/2 bass on a crankbit...and it was a luck craft so yeah im a .....9

senko77,.........

We'll see,...Sun, 3am, be ready!

Lookin' forward to learnin' from a 9!!!

Senko and Low Budgit

    Let us know how this turns out.  Are any of you 9 or 10's in central Florida, I could use some learn'n

                                    CPR ;D

I am not trying to insult anyone but nobody who fish's one lake/pond, with the same people, with no competitive experience should claim greatness in the sport.  

When I was a kid, I shot hoops in my driveway all the time.  I really was the greatest basketball player in the (MY) world.  When it came time for tryouts I found out that other kids were thinking/doing the same things as me and some of them were a lot closer to greatness than I was.  Like shooting hoops as a kid I used to think I was a 7 or 8 fisherman while fishing my home lake with the same friends over and over.   When I decided to prove it against other fisherman on other lakes the result was very similar to my basketball tryouts.

Start fishing tournaments if you want to claim greatness, you may find out you're just and average Joe in the Bass fishing world.  There are hundreds of thousands of dedicated Bass fisherman out there using the same baits, same lakes, same everything as you and I.  What makes us different?  I don't think you can actually say you are good until you have seen good and measured yourself up to it.  

I have measured good and I am not quite there.  I am only a 2 or 4.  For now!

well put