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.

Conservation Habitat Restoration: Why Your Fishing Depends on This Overlooked Movement

Fishing isn't just about catching fish-it's about being stewards of the water we fish in. The habitat quality directly determines fish populations. Degraded habitat means fewer fish, smaller fish, and fewer opportunities for future generations. Every angler can contribute to conservation and habitat improvement.

Simple Conservation Practices: Pick up trash you encounter on the water and shore. Abandoned fishing line, plastic bags, and other debris kill fish and wildlife. Transport invasive species between lakes by accident? Check your boat between trips and drain bilge water completely. Use biodegradable fishing bags when available. These small practices compound across an angler population.

Support Local Initiatives: Several organizations in Southern Illinois focus on fish habitat and water quality. donate gear, volunteer time, or contribute financially. Many restoration projects happen with minimal fanfare, but they dramatically improve fishing quality over years. Supporting these efforts ensures your favorite fishing spots remain productive for decades.

Catch and Release Practices: Handle fish with wet hands to protect their protective slime coating. Minimize air exposure and keep fish in water as much as possible during hook removal. Use quality barbless hooks when targeting species you'll release. Fish that you handle care carefully have exponentially better survival rates than those handled roughly or kept out of water excessively.

What We're Doing: Always 80 and Sunny donates 5% of annual profits to local habitat restoration projects. We've worked with conservation groups to install fish habitat structures in three lakes in our region. We educate every charter customer about catch-and-release practices and habitat stewardship. We view ourselves as custodians of the fishery first, and a business second.