Variations on white, chartruese, pink, black - you can't ever really tell
what they'll want, it changes season to season, year to year, even
on the same lake. But some days if they're really biting good, it don't
seem to matter much.
Speed, most folks are going by a GPS unit, but you can get a good idea
by watching your rod tip - you can sort of watch how fast it's throbbing
to the bait's vibrations, and when you find a speed they like it's pretty easy
to repeat it just by watching the rod.
Especially on some lakes like Sardis, don't be afraid to try fishing really shallow
over deep water - sometimes you'll catch the fish with the bait only running
8-10' deep over 30'+ of water... sometimes anyway If they ARE shallow
like that, and your baits are too deep, it's the most sure-fire way I know of
to not catch much of anything don't want to be below them.
Shoals Area Crappie Association