what makes the difference ?
what separates the really good fisherman from the just OK fisherman ?
Your opinion ...... obviously no answer is wrong.

Confidence and knowing when to adjust to the conditions.

Success. How do you adapt to conditions and to what success you have.

Confidence and Success are the end results of adapting to the conditions.
How does one know when to do what ?
Why does my brother-in-law out fish me from the back of my boat ? Same conditions, same water, same time in the same place ????

Reading water conditions, breaking down the water colum, and finding multiple patterns throughout the lake.
The Elites have 2-3 days of prefishing to break down lakes that are massive. It's really impressive to watch.

The person that can reach that 10% of water that others can't. Dropping a jig in silently rather than making a big splash. Realizing that the morning topwater bite isn't happening this morning and moving on instead of trying to force it to happen. It's so many little things but they add up to more and bigger keepers on a consistent basis.

More high percentage cast/flips. Not sitting in spots too long. Putting lure in spots hard for avg anglers to do. Making 10x as many cast in a day

Good fishermen stay ahead of the conditions and are able to process subtle data quicker from past experiences. This can only come from more time on the water and the willingness to not be hardheaded and trying to force a bite. Good fishermen learn more from a bad fishing trip than a good fishing trip.

Time on the water..

Winner Winner Bass Dinner.

Don't think this one holds water. Never Have, Never will.
I have spent much much more time on the water than my Brother-in-Law.
Just the phrase "time on the water" doesn't mean that what you learn or do during that time is correct, or helps you become a better fisherman.

If you add the "additional" statements that SFAJacks44 stated along with "time on the water" then yes it is applicable.

I think you have to process the data you get, while on the water, to better develop your skills.
Fishing is a "skill", much like any other sport or activity. Just because you go play golf 3 times a week doesn't mean you will become a scratch golfer.
Just because I fish 3 times a week for 6 hours a day doesn't mean I can go fish on a professional circuit

Time on water.

I dont buy that. If a man person spends the time on the water he will figure it out. To become a stick you have to be able to understand the movements of fish. You would first read about the process. Than go try. It is truly a trail and error sport. Once you hone your skills you will be able to do more. I know a guy that i used to take on guide trips. He never had a boat. But spent countless days on the water with me on guide trips. He than bought a boat. About two years later after learning all he could from other people he went pro/elites . He did okay for two years but the circuit eats the common man alive.He actually won one.

You have to under stand time on the water. First of all you must be a very good fisherman to shine above the rest.

Time means work and knowledge.
- Fish over 60 shallow water spots just to get one great spot for the daylight hour.
- It takes 3 of these to be a top water stick; so go fish another 120 spots.
- Fish 60 mid depth spots at 8 to 15 ft. just to get one great spot.
- It takes 3 of these to be a stick; so go fish 120 more spots.
- Fish 60 deep water spots just to get one great spot.
- It takes 3 of these to be a stick; so go fish another 120 spots.

Now you have spent time on the water; about a year. You have the 9 best spots on the lake though and will be considered a stick in my book.