What makes Always 80 and Sunny baits different?

Every bait is hand-painted and airbrushed in our shop — no two are identical. We work in custom species patterns (bluegill, rainbow trout, brown trout, gar, perch, shad), splatter and craw colorways, and one-of-a-kind designs across squarebill crankbaits, multi-jointed swimbaits, glide baits, jerkbaits, lipless crankbaits, deep crankbaits, stickbaits, and topwater poppers, walkers, and frogs.

Where are the fishing charters located?

Our charters operate out of Columbia, Illinois in Southern Illinois. We offer inshore, offshore, and sunset trips — every charter includes tackle, bait, and a Coast Guard certified captain.

What's included with an Angler Pro membership?

Angler Pro is $19.99/month and includes secret fishing spot access, monthly tackle breakdowns, priority charter booking, and everything in the free Explorer tier.

Do you ship custom baits nationally?

Yes — we ship custom baits, tackle, and apparel anywhere in the United States. Free shipping on orders over $100.

How are the custom baits priced?

Pricing reflects build complexity and size. Squarebill and lipless crankbaits start around $24-30, jerkbaits and topwaters $28-42, mid-size multi-jointed swimbaits $65-95, and large hand-painted glide baits $120-220+ for trophy-class builds.

April Walleye Patterns: The Pre-Summer Transition That Creates Predictable Walleye Hotspots

April brings significant transitions for walleye. Water temps climb from the 40s to the mid-50s. Fish abandon deep winter zones and move toward mid-depth structure. The bite improves dramatically through the month as warming water triggers increased metabolism. Understanding this transition helps you target walleye effectively.

Location Movement: Early April walleye are still relatively deep (20-30 feet) but in transition zones adjacent to shallower areas. They're not fully committed to spring patterns yet. By late April, they've moved to 12-18 foot ranges around points, ledges, and current breaks. This gradual movement happens predictably, so you can track it throughout the month.

Presentation Techniques: Vertical jigging is effective early April when fish are concentrated vertically. As the month progresses and fish spread out horizontally, casting and retrieving becomes viable. Jigs and soft plastics work throughout the month. Live minnons under slip bobbies work well late April. The transition from vertical to horizontal presentations parallels the fish's transition from winter to spring behavior.

Moon Phase Effects: April moon phases significantly affect walleye activity. Full moons create good daytime fishing. New moons mean better evening and night activity. Plan your fishing around lunar phases-timing your trips to coincide with favorable moon conditions improves success rates measurably.

Timing Windows: Early morning and evening remain best for walleye. However, April's increasing daylight length and warming weather mean midday fishing improves compared to winter. Overcast days with cloud cover produce action throughout the day. Clear, bright days concentrate bites into dawn and dusk periods.