Mepps See Best

Mepps now takes the guesswork out of spinner selection giving you a full day of productive fishing. Most fishermen arrive at a stream or lake and question what color and size lure to use. Sometimes they bring along lures recommended by a friend, only to find they will not work in the existing light and water conditions. A lot of precious stream time is spent in the "trial and error" mode trying to discover the right combination. Mepps, maker of the World's #1 Lure, is pleased to announce the solution to this common fishing problem. Through extensive research in fish behavior, underwater optics and color technology, Mepps has developed a master's selection of spinner patterns which will make it easier to choose the right spinner for all fishing conditions. Before you begin your fishing, first observe water temperature and clarity and light conditions, then select a See Best spinner to suit. Size selection is based upon target species, stream size and water temperature.

Lure colors do not look the same under water as in air. . .what you see is not what the fish sees. Underwater photography has established that suspended silt, debris and microorganisms filter out many colors of light's spectrum as it passes through water. The Navy has conducted extensive tests and determined that certain colors are seen better in certain water and light conditions. This explains why a lure might be effective in one lake or river on one day or in one location, but not on the next or in a different location on the same body of water. Jacques Cousteau once described a situation where he saw a fish speared in deep water. The fish's blood first appeared to be dark green in color. As the bleeding fish was brought to the surface, the blood appeared to turn black, then orange and finally red at the surface. Changes in how color is seen underwater can take place at depths as shallow as three to five feet, and also change dependent upon the distance from which it is viewed.

"See Best" technology was developed by Dr. Colin Kageyama, OD. In 1996, Dr. Kageyama created a simulation system which demonstrates how a specific lure will appear in clear, green and stained water at short and long distances. The accuracy of this system was verified through a combination of underwater photography and hours of actual on-water fishing research. Dr. Kageyama used this system to determine the colors and patterns that will be most visible to fish in specific underwater conditions. The findings of this extensive research project have been published in Dr. Kageyama's book, "Seeing Through the Eyes of a Fish" (Frank Amato Publications 1998).

First and foremost, the lure must be seen to be engulfed by the fish. However, it is not the actual color of the lure that is most important, but the lure's visibility under varying water and light conditions. The more visible the lure is under a given light and water condition, the more likely it is to trigger a strike. Dr. Kageyama's "see best" science allows us to design lures for maximum contrast under all water and light conditions. We utilized this science when designing the See Best series, paying particular attention to how the spinner is viewed from the side and rear. The variations in the See Best colors provides the correct contrast for all viewing positions in all types of water and light conditions.

Genuine silver and 24K gold plate, black oxide and tarnished brass are some of the "secret" materials utilized over the years by dedicated steelhead and salmon fishermen. Combine this with Mepps exclusive "coffee" finish and the See Best's revolutionary design, and you have the most efficient spinner patterns ever developed.

The See Best's unique stepped body has two specific functions. First, it moves the spinner's center of gravity forward maximizing vibration. Second, it creates an optical pattern which, in combination with the blade, increases the spinner's contrast when viewed from the rear.

It is no secret that one of a spinner's major attributes is its ability to produce low frequency sound as the blade spins. This is particularly important in the large "cold water" spinners, especially at slow retrieves. To enhance these sound vibrations, new specially tuned and weighted blades are used on the size 4 and 5 See Best spinners. The unique body design also creates its own secondary vibration. When combined, these two elements create maximum vibration even at the slowest retrieval speeds. This vibration not only triggers strikes but has the added benefit of allowing the fisherman to monitor the lure's speed as it drifts downstream.

Fish are cold blooded and their metabolism varies with water temperature. We have identified three different temperature ranges to aid in the understanding of a fish's reaction to temperature change. The three are: COOL, COLD and WARM. When conditions are ideal for a particular species or strain of fish, they are most aggressive. When fish are less aggressive due to water temperatures which are too hot or too cold, different lure sizes and contrasting colors must be used to induce a strike. The variations differ depending upon water clarity, light conditions and, of course, temperature.

For example, in low light, COLD stained water, it takes a large, bright spinner to trigger a strike. In direct sunlight in WARM clear water, it requires less brightness to induce a strike. Excessively bright, large spinners can spook fish under these conditions. Here it is important to create maximum contrast with the surrounding background while using a smaller, less bright spinner.

There are eight spinner color combinations in the See Best spinner series, available in size 0 through 5. They are designed to accommodate 12 different fishing conditions combining water temperature, water clarity and lighting. The elements in each spinner are designed to attract maximum attention from nearby fish. The See Best system helps any angler to select specific color combinations and sizes that fish see best under varying combinations of water and light conditions.

Using the SEE BEST SELECTION GUIDE below, first pick the temperature of the water to be fished. There are three water temperature ranges under each species: COLD, COOL and WARM. Next select the light condition or water clarity. Now, it is easy to select the right See Best spinner. Starting size and color selection is no longer a problem. Some specific strains of fish are more adaptable to cooler or warmer water temperatures. Improving the catch rate for these fish may require an up or down adjustment in spinner size, but not color. Begin fishing, and maximize your chance for catching fish.

Of course, having selected the right spinner is a key element in successful fishing. In addition, the serious angler must learn where to locate fish. This, too, is related to water temperature and light conditions, and can best be learned with time on the water and books on fishing each particular species.

Mepps is proud of its new See Best series of spinners. It is the merging of the world famous French spinner with underwater optic and color science. It takes the guesswork out of spinner selection and gives you a full day of productive fishing. Mepps has a tradition of making sure the dedicated fisherman has the very best spinner. That is why Mepps continues to be the World's #1 Lure.

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