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.

5 Crankbait Tuning Mistakes That Cost You Fish (The Adjustment Every Pro Makes First)

Crankbaits are one of the most versatile lures, yet many anglers use them suboptimally. Understanding diving depth, diving speed, and proper tuning techniques dramatically improves crankbait effectiveness. Let's break down everything you need to know.

Depth Range Selection: Crankbaits are categorized by diving depth: shallow runners (2-4 feet), medium runners (4-8 feet), deep divers (8-15 feet), and extreme deep runners (15+ feet). Your lure selection should match the water you're fishing. Shallow runners for active fish in 3-5 feet, medium runners for transition zones, deep divers for structure in 10-14 feet. Matching depth to actual fish location is essential.

Action Characteristics: Different crankbaits have different actions. Wide wobble (energetic side-to-side movement) creates more vibration and disturbance. Tight wobble creates more subtle, refined action. Floating cranks suspend at rest and rise slowly. Sinking cranks descend and reach maximum depth. Understanding these characteristics helps you match lures to fish mood. Aggressive fish often prefer wide wobble; finicky fish respond to tight wobble.

Tuning Your Cranks: If a crankbait doesn't track straight, it won't fish properly. Use a simple tuning technique: tie the lure on with a loop knot. Cast toward a visible point in shallow water. If the bait dives right, bend the eye slightly left with your fingers. If it dives left, bend right. Minor adjustments create dramatic improvements. A perfectly tuned crankbait that dives straight is exponentially more effective than one that tracks at an angle.

Color Selection: Match forage baitfish colors generally. In clear water, natural colors (shad patterns, perch patterns) work best. In stained water, brighter colors increase visibility. Our custom crankbaits in multiple patterns perform exceptionally well across different water clarity conditions.

Retrieval Speed: Many anglers crank crankbaits too fast. Let the crankbait do the work. A steady, moderate-speed retrieve that allows the lure to achieve its designed action is better than rapid-fire cranking. Pause occasionally to let the lure bob and work differently. Variable retrieves often trigger strikes from inactive fish.