If I could only have one lure in a situation where I had to feed myself. It would be a mepps. They catch everything and I've caught crappie, bass, bluegill, perch, pike and catfish on them.
My grandfather used to take me wading in the creek and he would catch small mouth and rock bass using mepps.
It's not talked about much on this forum because although it catches bass, I wouldn't say it's the best lure for big bass when compared to a jig, or top water lure, Senko etc