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.

August Boat Maintenance: The Preventative Step Nobody Takes (Until It Costs Them a Season)

Late summer (August-early September) is the ideal time for boat maintenance. You're in the middle of fishing season, but before the rush of fall arrives, taking a day for preventive maintenance prevents breakdowns when you're counting on your boat. Here's the maintenance checklist.

Engine Maintenance: Change the engine oil and filter. Even if you're not due based on hours, in-season oil changes keep your motor running smoothly. Check your fuel filter-a clogged filter creates performance issues. Inspect spark plugs and replace if worn. Check battery connections and clean corrosion. If your battery is more than 3 years old, test it and replace if necessary.

Mechanical Systems: Inspect steering cables for corrosion and proper function. Check throttle cables for sluggish response. Test all through-hull fittings for leaks. Verify bilge pump functionality. Check all hoses for cracks or degradation. These seem minor, but a failed cooling water hose ruins your day quickly.

Electronics and Electrical: Test navigation lights, fish finder, and GPS. Ensure batteries are fully charged. Check connector corrosion and clean corroded connections. Verify antenna condition. If electronics perform sluggishly, corrosion at connections is usually the culprit.

Hull and Structure: Inspect the hull for cracks, soft spots, or damage. Check gelcoat integrity. If you found damage earlier in the season, now is the time to have professionals repair it before fall fishing. Inspect the transom closely for separation or damage-transom failure creates serious problems.

Preventive Approach: Spending three hours on maintenance mid-summer prevents being stranded during prime fishing season. Every hour invested now saves ten hours of frustration and lost fishing time later. Schedule maintenance during marginal weather or after a heavy fishing weekend when you need recovery time anyway.