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.

The Secret Trigger Spring Smallmouth Can't Ignore (Hint: It's Not What You Think)

Mid-March is one of my favorite times of year in Southern Illinois. The water temperature has finally broken 50 degrees, and the smallmouth are starting to transition from their deep winter patterns. We've been fishing several of the backwater lakes and creeks around Columbia, and the action has been solid.

The key right now is focusing on shallow to medium depth structure-fallen timber, rock outcroppings, and current breaks in the creeks. We're using 1/4 ounce jigs tipped with custom soft plastic crawdads in our natural brown color. The fish are still sluggish, so slower presentations work best. A slow drag along the bottom with occasional hops will trigger bites.

Water clarity varies by location, but most of the backwater areas are starting to clear up after spring rains. If visibility is good, try throwing crankbaits in the 1 to 3-foot depth range. The smallmouth are feeding more aggressively as water temps increase, so don't be afraid to add some action to your presentation.

The next 4-6 weeks will see these fish moving shallower and spawning activity will increase significantly. Plan your charter trips now-March and early April offer some of the best consistent smallmouth action of the year. Bring layered clothing; it's still cool on the water in the early morning.