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 Fishing Gear Gifts That Separate Thoughtful From Generic (What Anglers Actually Want)

The holidays were just around the corner when we compiled this guide, and we realized most non-fishermen have no idea what to buy for the angler in their life. Let's fix that. Here are the gifts that actually get used in the tacklebox instead of gathering dust in a closet.

Affordable Gifts (Under $50): Quality fishing line is always appreciated-premium braids like PowerPro are expensive enough that most anglers don't upgrade themselves. Custom soft plastics make fantastic stocking stuffers; our mixed assortments of swimbaits and crawdads are popular gifts. A nice multi-tool with pliers and scissors designed for fishing runs about $30-40 and gets used constantly. Good gloves for cold-weather fishing are practical and thoughtful.

Mid-Range Gifts ($50-150): A new rod-and-reel combo is the sweet spot for gift-giving. You can find quality combinations at this price point. Our recommended spinning combo (6.5 foot medium rod paired with a 2500 series reel) starts around $100 and is versatile enough for most freshwater situations. A high-end headlamp for pre-dawn fishing sessions runs $60-80 and becomes essential gear.

Premium Gifts ($150+): Consider a guided fishing charter experience. Experiences create memories that last far longer than physical gear. A full-day Always 80 and Sunny charter with guide Heath Wilson combined with new fishing gear makes an unforgettable gift. Quality tackle boxes and organization systems are expensive but appreciated by serious anglers who take pride in their gear.