Mepps Syclops Lite
By Chuck Nelson Mepps Territory Manager

A light haze loomed over the water and the sun was about to break the horizon as the first of twelve lines was being set. Our quarry today was the mighty king salmon (chinook) and the acrobatic rainbow trout (steelhead). Our baits of choice were the #3 Mepps Syclops and new Mepps Syclops Lite. Our tactic today was trolling the Syclops Lite (SY3L) and #3 Syclops spoon (SY3) using a variety of presentations including downriggers, dipsy divers and planer boards.

As the third of four downriggers was being set, there was a scream of a reel that interrupted the serene morning. The first downrigger rod set was doubled over and throbbing, showing signs of a good fish at the other end. The fish was played out, and 15 minutes later a beautiful 23-pound broadsided king was lying on the deck with a glo-lime (GL) Syclops Lite deeply embedded in its mouth. This was the first of 18 fish we boated that busy morning; a total of seven kings from 11 to 23 pounds and 11 rainbows from 5 to 13 pounds. Nothing huge, but a very productive morning for the Syclops Lite and #3 Syclops spoon.

The Syclops Lite is a new trolling spoon that is the same length and width as the #3 Syclops spoon, but only half the weight; where the #3 weighs 1 ounce, the Lite weighs 1/2 ounce. Light, yet rigid, the Syclops Lite will stand up to the day-in, day-out abuse of fishing trout and salmon.

"Durability is a major issue in the quality we put into these spoons, "comments Mepps spokesperson Jim Martinsen, " All blades start off with genuine silver plate, then seven coats of paint go onto every hand painted blade we make. Combine that with a silver speckle clear coat and a special baking process, and you get a durable finish that will not flake off like many other painted trolling spoons available today. Unsurpassed Mepps quality goes into each and every spoon."

"Quality cone cut VMC hooks are used. A unique feature of the hooks is the gold plating used for extra flash. On every hook is a bright fluorescent orange strike attractor sleeve. Small details like these," Martinsen concludes, "can mean the difference between an uneventful day or a cooler full of fish and a lifetime of memories."

The Syclops Lite can be trolled at a variety of speeds - 1.0-3.5 mph. The most successful range has been from 1.8-2.5 mph. The Syclops Lite can be run bare on a downrigger, dipsy diver, planer board or straight behind the boat on a flatline. It may also be run behind a dodger, flasher or any other attractor. Running on wire or lead core line is also very productive for deep water presentations. The informative chart below shows the top colors, trolling speed and other important information when trolling the Syclops Lite for a variety of trout and salmon. This information was compiled from data received from charter captains and individuals testing the Syclops Lite the last three years on the Great Lakes.

A special and very important note - experiment! All of the colors will catch fish. Depending on conditions, certain colors will produce better than others from day to day. The Syclops Lite has also been outstanding when it comes to producing good catches of walleye. Whether you are trolling Lake Erie, Lake Oahe or any of your other favorite walleye haunts, don't forget the Syclops Lite. It will be a solid performer for you. The same tactics used for trout and salmon also apply to trophy walleye.

The Syclops Lite and #3 Syclops spoon can be trolled at the same time. Even with the weight difference, both spoons will run true with great fish-catching action. The standard Syclops, because it is heavier, will run 4-5 feet deeper than the Syclops Lite. Because of this, the one ounce #3 Syclops makes a great lure for a flatline or planer board when you want to get down a little deeper. Do not hesitate to add weight four-five feet in front of the Syclops Lite. The added weight will not hinder the action at all, and will get this versatile spoon to the targeted depth.

The new Syclops Lite has been thoroughly tested on all of the Great Lakes, on the Missouri River system, in reservoirs in Montana, North and South Dakota, throughout the Pacific Northwest, in numerous lake and river systems in Canada, as well as in saltwater. It has not missed a beat in catching fish from one body of water to the next; be it king salmon, rainbow trout, walleye or lake trout. The Syclops Lite has been extremely successful. Its erratic side-to-side, up-and-down action, drives fish nuts. So tie on a Syclops or Syclops Lite and tie into action.

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