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.

February's 30+ Catfish Days Weren't Luck—Here's What Made Them Deadly

February was an outstanding month for our catfish charter program. We ran eight charters targeting channel and flathead catfish on our favorite Columbia-area lakes, and the results spoke for themselves. Eight charters, zero skunks, and multiple days with 30+ catfish per boat. That's the kind of consistency every charter captain dreams about.

What Worked: Late winter is prime time for catfish because they're concentrated in deeper holes waiting for spring warming. We focused on 20-30 foot drops using our custom chicken liver and blood-soaked cut shad baits. The fish were aggressive, probably sensing the seasonal transition and feeding heavily. Tip-ups with live bluegill also produced several larger flatheads in the 15-25 pound range.

Customer Highlights: One group landed a 34-pound blue catfish that provided serious fight and made for great photos. A father-son duo from Springfield caught their personal best flathead at 28 pounds. The consistent action meant even first-time catfish anglers felt successful by the end of the day.

Looking Ahead: As water temps warm into spring, catfish movement will change. They'll transition to shallower areas and feeding patterns will shift. We're already booking late March and April charters with strong interest. If you want to experience the magic of catfish fishing in the Midwest, catfish charters are a must-do experience. Contact us to book your spring charter today.