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.

Seasonal Fish Behavior Decoded: The Temperature Threshold That Changes Everything

Fish behavior follows predictable seasonal patterns driven by water temperature, daylight length, spawning cycles, and forage availability. Understanding these patterns and how they affect where fish live and how they feed is foundational knowledge that separates casual anglers from consistent producers. Here's your year-round guide.

Winter Patterns (December-February): Fish metabolism slows dramatically as water temps drop. Fish concentrate in deep zones with minimal movement. Feeding is infrequent but aggressive when it occurs. Presentation should be slow and deliberate, positioned directly to fish rather than searching. Live baits often outperform artificials. Fish relating to structure are predictable and targetable.

Spring Patterns (March-May): Warming water triggers metabolism increase and spawning activity. Fish move from deep zones toward shallower structure. Feeding becomes more aggressive as spawning energy demands increase. Presentation options expand-topwater works in spring unlike other seasons. Fish scatter across multiple depth zones rather than concentrating deep. Timing windows expand as daylight increases.

Summer Patterns (June-August): Peak water temps (78-82 degrees) create thermoclines and compress fishable zones. Fish move deep or concentrate around structure with cooler water access. Feeding windows tighten to early morning and late evening. Presentation must be slow and deep. Topwater becomes ineffective except at dawn and dusk. Fishing summer requires accepting less action and seeking alternative presentation strategies.

Fall Patterns (September-November): Cooling water temperatures trigger aggressive feeding-fish prepare for winter food scarcity. Fish move from deep zones back toward shallower structure. Feeding is active and consistent. Presentation options expand. Fall transitions happen relatively rapidly, requiring flexibility and willingness to adjust location daily. Weather changes dramatically affect bite quality.

Practical Application: Base your location selection on seasonal patterns, not where fish were caught previously at different seasons. Shift presentations gradually as seasons transition rather than making abrupt changes. Monitor water temperature as the master indicator of fish behavior. Understand that each season offers different advantages and challenges-embrace what each season offers rather than fighting it.