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.

What Most Anglers Get Wrong About Winter Baits (And Why Size Matters More Than Color)

Winter fishing requires a different mindset. Fish have slowed dramatically, their metabolism has dropped, and they're holding in specific deep-water locations. The baits you choose matter even more in cold water because fish are selective and won't chase something that looks wrong.

Custom Bait Recommendations for Winter: Our natural color plastics in brown, green, and dark red are outperforming bright colors right now. Small profiles work best-2 to 3-inch swimbaits and finesse worms instead of larger offerings. We've had exceptional success with our custom soft plastic crawdads in natural brown. The subtle details and realistic movement trigger bites when other baits get ignored.

Live Bait Strategy: If you're fishing for catfish or pike, live bluegill and shiners remain productive. Keep them active but move them slowly. In winter, fish have less energy to chase bait, so position live offerings near structure rather than open water. We've been offering premium live shiners at the shop-these are larger, healthier specimens that survive cold water better than standard baitshop shiners.

Presentation Matters: Winter requires patience. Let your bait sit for extended periods. A jig-and-pause or a slowly dragged live bait along bottom structure will produce when constant movement produces nothing. The combination of the right custom bait with proper presentation technique is what separates consistent winter fishermen from those who struggle when water temps drop.