phew!!! little tough to answer... but a lotta fun too! good question!!!
first of all...yes, a BIG part comes from whether I respect them as a person...I will admit....there are a few I admire , but dont really "like". ( I guess thats called giving credit where credits due??)
next I would have to say how they treat other fishermen (and I could give a million examples...but I will keep it simple...are they fair? are they considerate???etc..) and I KNOW I am not an expert...I cant and dont expect that..but one thing I cant stand is being treated as inferior because I am female!!! (being "babied" also has its issues too) oh geez! God knows I TRY to be all tough and not let it bother me.....but once in a while one slips through the cracks!!....so yeah...if you respect me that way...I respect you!!!
But the thing that really counts...isnt a name, experience, a history of "the big one"....its PASSION! I have fished with plenty of people....and I have seen lots of excitement or enthusiasm, but only a few have been put in the "passion" Category!!
when you just look at them and see nothing but grace! totally in their element. Thats when I know they really love to fish..I think they even HAVE to fish or they would surely die!
that kind of commitment , definately gets my respect!