Last year I used the big motor to pull cranks all summer long, my average speed was 2 mph and I caught a good many fish at that speed. My catch rate has improved this year with the ability to get my speed down to 1.3 to 1.8 mph. So yes you can catch them at 2 - 2.2 mph on most days, you just may not be catching as many as the guy going a little slower. As far as colors on a lake I haven't fished in awhile or ever. I will try a variety of different colors 4 poles / 4 colors if fishing alone or 8 poles / 8 colors with two fishing. Also, I'm trying different style cranks (bandits, arkies C55's etc.) if one or more colors or style cranks start catching fish I start swapping my other poles to match those "hot" colors or baits. I don't really have a set time, never really pay attention to a clock when I fish, but if I had to guess I will change out non producing colors about every half hour or so.