Mepps — History of the Inline Spinner

The foundation of the Mepps brand dates back to 1938, when French engineer André Meulnart developed the design for his inline spinner. While the initial invention took place in France, the expansion of the brand into the North American market began in 1951. That year, Mike Sheldon brought several of Meulnart’s lures to his father, Todd Sheldon, who owned a specialized sports shop. Before adding the spinners to his inventory, Todd Sheldon conducted personal field tests to observe the lure's performance in local waters.

By 1956, the commercial success of the French spinners prompted a significant shift in business operations. Todd Sheldon sold his retail shop and established Sheldon Inc., a company dedicated specifically to the importation of Mepps products. This partnership between the American distributor and the French manufacturer grew until 1972, when the Mepps factory in France was offered for sale. Todd Sheldon acquired the facility, consolidating the production and distribution under a unified structure.

Current production practices maintain a logistical link between the brand's French origins and its American headquarters. The mechanical components, including the blades and other hardware for the spinners, are manufactured at the factory in France. The final assembly of these components into finished lures is conducted in the United States, continuing the specific manufacturing process established decades ago.