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.

Building Your Fall Bait Arsenal: The 5 Lures That Should Never Leave Your Boat

Fall is prime time for bass fishing. Cooling water temperatures trigger a feeding frenzy as bass pack on weight before winter. The key to capitalizing on this window is matching your bait selection to the dramatic forage shift that happens every autumn.

Understanding the Fall Forage Shift

As water temperatures drop from the mid-70s into the 60s, shad and other baitfish begin migrating toward the backs of creeks and shallow flats. Bass follow them. This congregation creates some of the best fishing of the year, but it also means bass become more selective. They're keyed in on specific baitfish sizes and colors, and generic store-bought baits often miss the mark.

Shad-Pattern Soft Plastics

Your fall arsenal should start with custom-poured swimbaits and flukes in shad patterns specific to your water. Not just any white and silver combination, but colors that match the actual shad in your lake. Young-of-the-year shad are typically 2-3 inches in early fall and more translucent than adults. A custom pour with a clear body, subtle silver flake, and faint blue or green back is deadly. Have both a smaller 3-inch version for finesse presentations and a 4-5 inch version for targeting bigger fish.

Crawfish Transition Baits

While shad get most of the attention in fall, crawfish are still a major part of the bass diet, especially around rock and gravel. As water cools, crawfish shift from their summer green-brown to darker, more orange-tinted colors. Custom jig trailers and creature baits in these transitional crawfish colors can be absolute money when fishing rocky banks and points.

Reaction Baits with Custom Paint

Fall bass are aggressive, making reaction baits essential. Custom-painted crankbaits and spinnerbaits allow you to fine-tune the color and flash to match conditions. A crankbait painted to match your local shad with a custom rattle configuration can outfish an off-the-shelf version by a wide margin. Spinnerbait skirts tied in fall-specific colors with willow blades for flash are another must-have.

The Versatility Factor

Don't over-specialize. Fall conditions change rapidly. A warm front can push fish shallow and aggressive while a cold front can send them deeper and finicky within 24 hours. Build your custom arsenal with versatility in mind. Have confident baits for both scenarios, and don't be afraid to experiment with hybrid colors that blend shad and crawfish patterns for those in-between days.