I always just use the tackle provided on DD. It might not be as good as your personal tackle, but it has always performed sufficiently for me plus it's less I have to worry about doing. They always have extra rods rigged and available in case you get broke off or they have to cut lines. DD will furnish bait but you are welcome to bring your own too, it's just sort of a hassle with others on the boat, they might believe it's all community bait. You are not allowed to take food or drinks on board and no coolers (although I have seen several people take cereal bars and energy bars in backpacks or fanny packs). They have soft drinks, water, beer, chips sandwichs (cold and microwaveable) and it's not ridiculously priced. The 12 hour Dolphin Express usually has about 25-28 people on board fishing. If you're lucky, a few of them will be sea sick, and possibly a few too hungover and tired to fish much, which should lessen the crowd. The biggest problem I have had on these boats is rude fishermen (and women). It seems like when my wife and I start really hammering the fish, others try to elbow their way into the spot we were standing while we are removing fish or rebaiting. I've learned just to "politely" nudge my way back into my spot and "casually" bump them as the boat rocks. If all else fails, just make sure your bait or fish rubs on them and gets them stinky. They usually move.. ;D
As mentioned earlier, get to know the deckhands early on in the trip out if possible. They can be your best friends and be the difference between an average trip and an awesome trip. These guys usually bust their rears and stay very busy. Example: On one trip, I got to know the guys pretty good on the initial 2 hour trip out. They understand that I was not a tourist and casual angler, I was serious and had a lot of experience. Once we stopped and began fishing, I noticed a school of chicken dolphin (small dolphin) swimming around the boat. I told a deckhand and he promptly grabbed his personal medium action spinning rig, baited it and handed it to my wife. As the school passed by again, BAM! FISH ON!! She boated 6 of them before they disappeared. On the same trip, the deckhand rigged up his personal Shimano Triton reel and HEAVY rod for big sharks, atttached about 2 lbs of fish heads to it and tossed it out for big sharks. He stuck the rod in a holder and told me that it was mine if something hit..Unfortunately, all we got on it was some small sharpnose sharks messing around. The same as we were catching on our regular setups. So, long story short, go with a great attitude and enjoy yourself.