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.

June Bass Pre-Spawn Transition: When Shallow Gets Deep (The Timing Detail Most Anglers Miss)

June is a transition month for bass in our region. Early June still has spawning fish in shallow water. By late June, the spawn is complete and fish are transitioning to summer patterns. This transition creates variable fishing conditions that require flexible approaches and willingness to adjust presentations throughout the month.

Early June (Pre-Spawn Conclusion): Early June bass are still in shallow spawning zones, particularly in smaller lakes and ponds. Males are aggressively defending spawn sites. Dark-colored jigs and soft plastics trigger defensive strikes rather than feeding responses. Fishing shallow structure (docks, lily pads, fallen timber) produces action, but you're triggering aggression rather than feeding. The fishing can be hot, but it's different from traditional feeding patterns.

Mid-June Transition: Spawning activity winds down as water temps exceed 72 degrees. Bass scatter from shallow spawning zones toward deeper transition areas. This is when fishing becomes more challenging-fish are between patterns and less predictable. Focus on areas where fish can access both shallow spawning zones and deeper summer structure. Points, ledges, and current breaks become more productive than obviously shallow areas.

Late June (Early Summer): By late June, summer patterns begin emerging. Bass move deeper (12-20 feet) and concentrate around specific structure. Water temps exceed 74 degrees. Morning and evening still provide best bites, but midday fishing improves if you're fishing the right depths. Shift to presentations suited for deeper water-jigs, swimbaits, and slower presentations replace topwater and shallow presentations.

Flexible Approach: June success requires willingness to adjust daily. Start shallow, and if spawning fish aren't aggressive, move deeper. Fish multiple depth zones systematically. Pay attention to water temp changes-a sudden warming trend accelerates the transition; a cool spell extends shallow fishing.