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.

November Pike Bite Report: When Fall Pattern Transitions Create Feeding Anomalies

November is prime pike season. Water temps have dropped to the mid-50s, pike have finished shallow-water spawn activities, and they're in an aggressive pre-winter feeding mode. We've had incredible pike action this November, with consistent 15-25 pound fish and several larger specimens in the 30+ pound range.

November Conditions: Clear days with light winds produce the best bites. Pike visibility increases as water clarity improves through fall, making them more likely to hunt actively. The water temp sweet spot is 48-58 degrees-pike are aggressive throughout this range. Expect the bite to slow if temps drop below 45 degrees.

Lure Selection: Large swimbaits (6-7 inches) in dark colors are incredibly effective. Pike key on baitfish preparing for winter, and oversized lures that represent substantial meals trigger aggressive strikes. We stock custom swimbaits in our newest patterns-the pearl and black shad combination has been devastating. Rattle-equipped lures add a noise component that pike find attractive.

Location and Timing: Target the outside edges of weed beds, creek channels, and transition zones between shallow and deep water. Pike hunt these corridors aggressively in November. Early morning and late afternoon provide the most consistent action, though we've had solid midday bites during clear, calm days. Focus on areas where baitfish congregate-pike won't be far away.