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.

Spring Bass Sight Fishing: The Shallow Water Secret That Makes Fish Easier to Catch

Spring sight-fishing is one of the most exciting and effective bass techniques. When fish move shallow to spawn, they become visible to anglers with good technique. Spotting fish visually and making precise presentations to known targets dramatically improves success rates. This technique requires specific skills but rewards patient anglers generously.

Equipment for Sight-Fishing: Quality polarized sunglasses are absolutely essential-they eliminate glare and help you see fish in shallow water. A sun-protective hat further reduces glare. Position yourself for sun angle-keep the sun to your back or side, never in your eyes. A elevated platform (front deck of boat or shallow wading) improves visibility.

Spotting Fish: Bass on spawning nests create visible depressions in shallow bottom. Look for slightly darkened areas in sandy or light-bottom zones. Fish feeding on shallow structure create disturbances. Baitfish schools sometimes indicate larger fish nearby. Train your eyes to notice subtle differences. This skill takes practice but improves dramatically with intentional focus.

Presentation Technique: Once you've spotted a fish, present to it specifically. A direct cast to a visible fish often triggers an immediate strike or refusal. If refused, wait 2-3 minutes and cast again with a different lure. Sight-fished bass sometimes take multiple presentations before committing. Patience and persistence pay off.

Lure Selection: Dark-colored presentations (black, dark brown) are visible to fish and effective. Small jigs (1/4 ounce) and soft plastics work well. Don't overthink lure selection-once you've spotted a fish, making a good cast matters more than perfect lure choice. Multiple strikes often indicate the fish is interested even if initial presentations are refused.

Seasonal Window: Sight-fishing works best April through early June when fish are shallow and visible. Once summer arrives and fish scatter deep, sight-fishing becomes impossible. Capitalize on the spring window while it exists.