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.

Summer Heat Locks Down Most Anglers (Here's Where Fish Actually Hide in Peak Heat)

Peak summer (July-early August) is challenging for many anglers because fish behavior changes dramatically from spring and early summer. Water temps exceed 78 degrees, thermoclines develop, and fish concentrate in deep, cool zones away from surface warmth. Understanding these changes and adapting your approach makes summer fishing productive instead of frustrating.

Thermal Stratification: Summer creates three distinct water layers: warm surface water, a transition layer (thermocline), and deep cool water. Fish concentrate at or just above the thermocline where water is cool enough to be comfortable but food is more available than in the deepest water. Your electronics should show this boundary clearly. Fish will be just above it, not distributed randomly throughout the water column.

Location Adjustments: Forget spring patterns of shallow water. Summer fish hold in 25-40 foot zones depending on lake depth. Points, ledges, and drop-offs that access both shallow and deep water become critical. Shallower fish might be on 15-20 foot flats adjacent to deeper zones. The transition areas are most productive, not the extreme shallows or deepest holes.

Timing Becomes Critical: Early morning (first 3 hours of light) and evening (last 3 hours of daylight) produce far more bites than midday. Overcast days improve all-day fishing. If you must fish midday, focus on deep water and slower presentations. The shallow water doesn't hold feeding fish during peak heat; you're wasting time.

Presentation Adjustments: Slow down your presentations dramatically. Summer fish have lower metabolic rates than spring fish. A slow jig-and-pause presentation outproduces aggressive crankbaiting. Live bait presentations become increasingly productive because fish will follow and investigate slowly-moving offerings they'd ignore when aggressive.

Summer = Opportunity: Most casual anglers quit fishing during peak summer heat. This means less pressure on fish and often better bite quality. Dedicated anglers with correct techniques can catch quality fish throughout summer. It requires adaptation, but the rewards are there for those willing to adjust.