The size of the rod you buy should be determined by the size of the fish available to catch in your region.  For fish under 20 pounds, use a six-foot rod with at least a 10-pound test line. For fish over 20 pounds, use a seven-foot rod with at least a 20-pound test line. Longer rods are better for fishing from banks, as opposed to a boat, since they offer greater reach. Most sporting good stores sell starter tackle boxes that include a range of supplies to get you started. When it comes down to it, all you really need are sharp fishhooks, but some of the other accessories are nice to have.  Glow-in-the-dark bobbers can come in handy when you're fishing at night. Other types of bobbers can be helpful when you're fishing on a still pond. You'll also need buckets and coolers to hold your bait and any catfish you'll be bringing home. Some catfish enthusiasts swear by a specific type of bait, but the truth is that catfish will eat many different things. For your first few catfish expeditions, take a few different types of bait, so you can find out what the catfish in your region like to eat.  Try some of these options:  Try cut bait. Shad, herring, goldeye, and other baitfish release oils that attract catfish. Slices of these fish are particularly effective for catching channel catfish, which are the most common type of catfish in North America. You can also use live baitfish that haven't been cut. These won't release oil as readily, but they may be more appealing to catfish since they're alive. Experiment to see which one is better.  Try crawfish. Catfish in southern regions might eat crawfish, which is available at your local bait shop. Try nightcrawlers, which you can also buy at the bait shop. These worms are appealing to many types of fish.. If you don't want to make a run to the bait shop, you can use chicken livers or pieces of corn. Try an artificial bait. There are dozens of artificial catfish baits sold at sporting goods stores, many of which claim to have a magic ingredient for which catfish go wild. However, expert fishermen say that the best fish are caught with real, live bait. If you know you stand the chance of catching a 50-pound fish, you're going to need a large piece of bait. Smaller bait like nightcrawlers will get stolen off the hook. Catfish aren't going to eat fish pieces that have been sitting out, so you'll need to store them in a bait cooler to keep them cold during the hours you'll be spending on the water.  Keep nightcrawlers in a container inside a cooler. Keep cut baitfish on ice. Keep live baitfish in a bucket of cool water.

Summary: Buy a fishing rod and line. Buy fishhooks, bobbers, and other gear. Experiment with different types of bait. Choose a bait size that matches the size of the fish you want to catch. Keep the bait fresh.


Make sure to use a saucepan large and deep enough to hold all your eggs in a single layer (not stacking any on top of the others) with some room for them to move around. Place the pan in the sink and fill it with room temperature water until the eggs are covered by about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water. The more eggs you boil, the more water you’ll need. If you’re using more than 6 eggs, cover them with 2 inches (5.1 cm) of water to ensure a good boil. Add 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of vinegar or 1⁄2 teaspoon (2.5 mL) salt to keep the eggs from cracking in the pan. Adding salt also makes it easier to peel the eggs when you’re ready to eat! If you want to store your eggs, remove them from the water as soon as they’re cool. Set them back in their original carton to prevent them from absorbing other food odors and eat within 1 week.  Only store hard-boiled eggs that are still in their shell. Once you peel the shell off, you should make sure to eat the egg that day. If a hard-boiled egg feels slimy after you peel it, throw the egg away. This is a sign that bacteria have started to grow and the egg isn’t good. Hard-boiled eggs with a dash of salt and pepper are great for a quick, healthy snack. You can also cut them in half to make deviled eggs, or slice them up for a tasty salad topper.

Summary: Place up to 6 eggs in a large saucepan. Cover the eggs with 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water. Add vinegar or salt to prevent the eggs from cracking. Store hard-boiled eggs in their shells in the refrigerator for up to a week. Eat hard-boiled eggs plain, as an appetizer, or on a salad.


The label will tell you most of the information that you need to know for cleaning your velvet item. It will also tell you what the velvet is made out of. There are a few types of velvet, such as pure, polyester blend, and crushed velvet. If the tag has an “S” on it, you should treat it with dry cleaning solvents, not water, or get it professionally cleaned. If you have an article of pure velvet clothing, the best way to get it cleaned is at the dry cleaner. They’ll be able to treat the clothing and are experts at the best methods for removing dirt and stains from delicate clothing. in cold water with delicate detergent. If your item is a polyester blend or crushed velvet, it’s safe to wash in the washing machine. Make sure it’s on the cold water setting and use a delicate care detergent. Other articles of clothing can press against your velvet items in the washer and cause creases or mats in the fabric. A mesh delicates bag can protect the clothing, or you can wash the piece of clothing by itself. This method works best for articles of clothing as well as velvet pillow cases, and scarves. Velvet should never be put in a dryer. Find a clean, flat surface in a dry area to lay your piece of clothing on. It can take up to 12 hours for a piece of clothing to dry depending on the weight of the material, so be patient. Check on it after a few hours and flip the article over if you think it’s not drying evenly. Keeping your velvet clothing upright and stored in your closet will help prevent creases and wrinkles. Make sure your other clothing isn’t pressing against the velvet and crushing the fabric. If your velvet accessory comes with a dust cover, like a purse or a pair of shoes might, use it while you’re storing the item. This will prevent dirt and lint from getting into the fabric.
Summary: Check the label closely. Take pure velvet clothing to a dry cleaner. Wash crushed or polyester velvet Place your velvet in a mesh delicates bag or wash alone to prevent creasing. Lay flat to dry. Store your velvet items by hanging them in the closet or placing them in a dust cover.