Wow I can not believe that not one member with fig experience would take the time to answer this question for me...sad :(

Here are some links that can help you.

http://www.tallcloverfarm.com/351/how-to-know-when-a-fig-is-ripe-and-ready-to-pick

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.pickyourown.org/figs/figsripe.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.pickyourown.org/figs.htm&usg=__EON6pqkrPjlDOTwJZSn_xpPLrfc=&h=400&w=394&sz=19&hl=en&start=40&zoom=1&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=QPizQogiPKpGMM:&tbnh=124&tbnw=122&prev=/search%3Fq%3DRipe%2Bfigs%2Bon%2Btree%26start%3D20%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Den%26ndsp%3D20%26tbm%3Disch&ei=dHTVTbyTB8rt0gGJqIyJDA

When a is fig ripe is largely a matter of personal taste. That going to vary from variety to variety, as well as from person to person.

For example, many will tell you to wait until the fig begins to droop a little on the stem. Personally, on my black mission figs, I prefer them before they reach that stage, while they are still firm.

So if may I suggest...pick a fig. Eat it. If it isn't sweet enough for you, allow figs on that particular tree to ripen a little more before trying another one. Repeat till you're satisfied with the ripeness of the figs on that particular tree.

Some things are best figured out for yourself.

Dave

Thank you both for your responses.
I tried doing as you suggested Dave and the ones I had tried
were bland tasting. We recently had a lot of rain and thought maybe that had something to do with it. Wasn't sure. I will try one today and am hoping for a sweet one. If it is not I will be disappointed and confused as to why and what do about it!
Thanks again.