Flourocarbon usually comes in small spools of about 25 yards. The Seaguar knot is super fast and easy to tie when connecting mono to flouro.
If you go with the circle hooks (which I also recommend) Do not "set" the hook. When your bait gets picked up point your rod tip at the fish, when you think it's time, throw the reel in gear and immediatly start cranking the handle. Do not swing the rod trying to set the hook. Just keep grinding the handle. At first your line may start going on the spool. (That is any slack line that might be in the water.) When the line comes tight the hook is (hopefully) being pulled to the corner of the fishes mouth. Now the line should stop going on the spool and strart smoking
off the spool. (you still should be pointing your rod tip at your fish and grinding the handle) Right when the line starts smoking off the reel then firmly lift your rod tip and load up the rod and then you can stop grinding the handle while your fish makes his initial run. If your line is not straight out in front of you (perpendicular to the boat rail) you should be moving your feet to get it that way while telling your railmates that you're coming through.
I wouldn't bother trying to amass a bunch of tackle for your first trip. You will be fine just using a hook with the live bait (flylining) and sometimes adding a sliding egg sinker (bring a few each of 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz, and 3/4 oz). If the Captain or the deckhand says to put on some weight, then put on however much they tell you. I like to use Carolina Keepers to keep the sliding sinker away from the hook. The boat has trolling rods and jigs that you can use for that so when it's your turn to troll just ask a deckhand for one if you don't know where they are.
Check the boat's website for tackle recommendations and then shortly before the trip try and call the boat or the landing to ask if they know what they will be targeting and what special tackle, if any, you should bring. When you get on the boat make friends with the deckhands right away and find out their names. When they're not busy working tell 'em up front that this is your first time going on a trip like this and then ask them questions like: What size hook should I use? What knot do you like for tying that on? I've never heard of that, can you show me how to tie it?
Start practicing tying knots now. For the mono to flouro connection I would recommend the Seaguar knot and/or the uni-uni knot. For the hook knot I like the San Diego jam knot but the Palomar knot is really fast and easy to tie. There are plenty of other knots but try to learn a couple so you can tie your own knots. The deckhands will do it for you if they are not busy but when fish are hanging you will be on your own. Just google "fishing knots" and you can find a bunch of on-line demos of how to tie them and what they're for. Also, you should retie your hook after each fish you catch or any time you feel any nicks or abrasions on your line.
As for clothes, it can get hot out there but it's typically cool and windy and you will get wet. I like to bring clothes that I can layer up so I can peel layers off if need be to stay comfortable. You'll be hot at the landing but it will be cool and breezy when you get up to fish in the morning. No telling what kind of weather you'll encounter so be prepared for anything. Bring a small flashlight (headlamps are good for this) so you can dig through your gear at night if it's dark. Polarized sunglasses are really helpful. I bring a beanie (I have worn this for sleeping too if my bunk is right below an A/C vent), a baseball hat, and a brim hat with a chin strap so it doesn't blow away. Sunblock. Chapstick. A towel and shower stuff if you want to take a shower (the boat has showers). On trips that short I just bring flip flops and rubber boots. Some guys wear tennis shoes going out, switch to junkie shoes for fishing, and then back to tennis shoes for the ride home.
Try really hard to listen to the crew. They're there to help you. When you see a guy and you say to yourself "man, that guy's hooked up
again" watch what he's using and doing and try and talk to him to see if he'll share what he is doing differently from you. Most of all, go with a good attitude. Sometimes the weather gets rough or the fish don't bite. The Captain and crew can't control that so don't let that be the determining factor for whether you have a good time or not.
Good luck and have fun.
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