In fact I've actually been able to nudge them with my foot before they've bolted away. In ideal conditions the slowing down of their senses takes longer giving you more time to catch the pike. The more twitches the higher the number of possible semi-dormant pike that should be tempted. Leaving a bait in one spot is asking for failure. Barrie Rickards has often stressed the importance of air pressure, and I certainly go along with this.
Nature designs creatures to capitalise on other creatures' weaknesses.
To give an example, prey fish feed better in a low pressure system, when it's mild and windy. I think some prey fish actually slow down metabolically during high pressure systems. The opposite happens with pike. This might explain why Rickards believes that a falling barometer favours deadbaits, a slowing down of the pike's senses and a speeding up of the prey lending itself to easier meals. It's a complicated topic but one which is fascinating nonetheless.