Message rate varies. I sent out 24 yesterday and received 22 back. Sometimes I'll send 10 and only get 3.
I would get rid of your second picture. Nearly every guy on POF that girls associate as "losers" are shirtless.
I would add more humour into your profile.
This is my about me section:
I’m not exactly your every day average chris, I’m an egotistical son of a **** who likes things my way. I would say that my life is like a Katy Perry album, I’m one of the boys, I’m pretty sure I’ve kissed a girl, I’ve woken up in Vegas (with a huge hangover and a lion in my bathroom), I’m hot and cold (hey, sometimes it’s just absolutely freezing), California girls are indeed undeniable and sometimes I’m a little gay.
It's hugely important that you don't reveal everything about yourself from the get go. You need some mystery. So, I write my profile with banter and it's extremely attractive to women.
My First Date:
It'll be magical. I'll take you to Mcdonalds drive thru and you can buy me a happy meal, you can have anything you want, it's your bloody money

Then you can drop me off to my mates and I'll go on guitar hero with you just to show you up. I'm a old fashioned romantic
As you can see, not being serious. I haven't really revealed anything about myself and that is why girls ask me a lot of questions. This allows me to build a connection with her and meet her in the real world.