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.

Early Spring Bass Transition: The Water Temperature Window When Fish Get Aggressive

Early spring bass fishing is a mental game. One day the water's 52 degrees and fish are crushing jerkbaits. Next day a cold front drops it back to 46 and everything shuts down. The anglers who catch fish consistently through this transition are the ones who read conditions daily and adjust on the fly.

The Temperature Zones

Below 48 degrees, slow down dramatically. Jigs and finesse worms dragged on bottom, long pauses between hops. You're targeting lethargic fish holding tight to cover. Between 48-53 degrees is the sweet spot where jerkbaits and crankbaits start working. Fish are actively feeding but not fully committed to chasing. Suspending jerkbaits with 3-5 second pauses are your best friend. Above 53 degrees, the bite opens up — swimbaits, spinnerbaits, and moving baits all come into play.

Location Shifts

As water warms, bass migrate from deep winter haunts toward shallow spawning areas. In early spring, focus on the transitional zones — secondary points, channel swings near flats, and the first major break from deep to shallow. Fish staging areas, not spawning areas. The fish aren't there yet.

Keep a thermometer on your boat and check water temp at every spot. A 2-degree difference between a main-lake pocket and a protected cove can mean the difference between zero bites and a 20-fish day. Follow the warmest water you can find — the fish are doing the same thing.