Welcome to the site, is your fear of water or being sea sick?
Already stated above if your unsure go for a short trip out, i see your from South Shields so either the JFK or the Mistress do short trips and full day trips mid week and weekends (details of the boats on home page) also other ports such as Blyth,Amble,Sunderland and Pool also have good charters doign the same type of trips.
You can hire gear on most boats so dont spend money on rod's and reels unless you know you like it, fishing tackle wise a couple of priks, 4-5x 10oz leads, a few daylights 2/0 and 5/0 and a pack of shads would see you through a wrecking day no problem.
Ring one of the skippers up and if you say its your first trip am sure they would be happy to advise you on what has been catching and what to get gear wise.
Anything else just ask on here am sure you will get lots of replys