For the perch I troll about 2 - 3 mph. Just fast enough to get those crankbaits down to where the fish are. For the pickerel I really don't think it matters. They are everywhere in the water column. (a little high if anything) My guess is that any speed fast enough so that they don't get a good look at the baits will work. They are voracious feeders and will bite anything that moves. I've actually had them follow baits right to the boat when casting and did the figure 8 trick that musky fishermen do and they will eventually strike it. As far as color, just match the forage. The lake I was in has mainly yellow perch for forage, so fire tiger or something with stripes works well. I think that all pike family members like fire tiger no matter what the forage though. And they don't strike especially hard, but once they know they're hooked it's on. They jump and everything. And when they get to the boat they will circle for what seems like forever. They don't get tired. Thanks for commenting and good luck.