George Welcome

Those that snooze - looze. If it feels different hit it - it's not baseball, and you can't strike out.

speed up your retrieve, or stop the bait and let it fall.

General rule: dark water - dark bait: clear water - light bait. The theory is based on contrast and the human eyesight. What the bass see is really only assumption since they haven't talked with anyone yet, however this general rule seems to hold up no matter where you are fishing. Green water = algae bloom: this is common in the warmer months and increased rain fall. Don't look for too many "real" scientific answers about bass and their behavior. It will ruin your fishing experience for you. There are very few "real" scientific answers out there for this critter. Using your observation skills will do more for you when on the water than anything else. Every time you do catch a fish start asking the "W's". Why, what, where, note the when, and add the how.

The answer would be directly relative to where you live. What works in Florida doesn't necessarily work in Texas.