An important key to making the Mepps work is to have it begin spinning instantly as you bring it up off the bottom. You should feel the spinner drag (resistance). For #3, 4 and 5 the spinning action has no trouble starting immediately (exception - the longcast hesitates), but for the #2 it often hesitates before beginning to spin, and the hesitation completely undermines the technique. To prevent this put a slight bend in the wire. If that doesn't help, bend it slightly in the opposite direction. I can't explain why this works - just got frustrated one day and started trying stuff. Good luck, and I'd love to hear how the Mepps technique is working for those who are trying it.

I think I'd have to come spend a weekend fishing with you to really learn it. Then after morning and evening fishing trips, probably further tutorials will be needed over dinner!

Good info Dennis!

Dennis, after reading, and listening to you're methods , one of the concerns with fishermen around me was the lure felt to lite. Now remember this is coming from mainly slab fisherman much like myself. I tied one on last year, and it worked well with schooling fish, but I had the same concerns. I now know that you should tie a weight above the lure, which I didn't do last year. Does it matter how heavy, and where you put the weight? That lure seems to flutter to the bottom which in turn can feel like a long time compared to a 3/4, or 1 ounce slab.

Would a 1/2 ounce weight about 6 inches above the lure destroy the integrity of what you're trying to do?? Just curious. I get the concept of it's almost like trolling sitting still. The fish here lately have been only hitting that slow long cast retrieve, from my last few outings. Also seems like we've had to downsize a bit also.
Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks Mike

Mike, with the #2 I use a small diameter line - 10lb fluorocarbon - and a 3/16 oz mash-on weight (the inch long slender kind) about 15 inches up the line. This gets it to the bottom in reasonable time in water 20 ft or less. In deeper water use a 1/4 or 1/3 oz weight and the 10 lb line. Putting the weight that far up the line minimizes the line getting caught in the spinner hooks. With 1/2 oz or heavier weights, you have to reel it a little faster to keep the Mepps from dragging the bottom. If the fish want a medium to fast retrieve, then that is a way to speed up the fishing.

Line thickness can also have an effect on the white bass's willingness to bite. One year when the lakes were low, my wife and I were fishing a point on Lake Livingston. Although we were both using #2 Mepps with weights, she was outfishing me. It took me a little while to realize the line on her reel was 10 lb and mine was 15 lb. Yes, whites down on structure can be that finicky - totally unlike when they are feeding on the surface.

Right now with lakes low, the water is really clear and down-sizing baits and line is a good idea.

i need to find a mepps. does bass pro carry it

Good info btw #12 pet-spoon can be worked the same way only a faster retreive.

Yes. The Garland BPS has a whole section in the "Crappie" area near the fly fishing.

Based on Dennis's results using the Mepps, I wanted to try it on Tawakoni. However, the large ones are only 1/3 of an ounce and I didn't see trying to get that to the bottom, especially in a lot of wind and waves.

I see now that a weight can be added so that makes it usable for me.

Also, they did not have any without a bucktail, and I didn't want to spend money for it just to cut it off.

Hint: size 2 or 4 or 5 is not listed on the package. It is on the blade.

think he used aglia with the bead on it

Dennis, I am looking forward to trying your mepps technique but from past experience with mepps for steam fishing line twist is usually a problem for me. How are you preventing line twist or is it not a problem for you? Thanks

It's not a problem for me. 3s, 4s and 5s won't twist unless the spinner is distorted - hooks missing or bent or wire bent. If a #2 starts to twist, I'll reverse the slight bend in the wire and that usually stops it. As always you could add a small swivel just above where you put the weight.

Gotreal: The #4 and 5 aglias have the beads; the #2 and 3 have a cylindrical brass body.