shannon estuary(beginner)

[frodo baggins]

right lads, i'm pretty much a total newbie to boat fishing, and i'm heading out with a few guys from work this thursday on a charter boat out of kilrush(i think it's the boat that matt hayes fished the estuary in). anyway, i've read enough on boat fishing over the years to hold my own for the day(i hope). but it would be great if any of ye guys would be so kind as to give me any hints or tips, or advice in general really. from what i've gathered, we're heading out to the reef by loop head first, so i'm guessing plain mackeral rigs, along with jellyworms, and shads fished on flying collars rigs would be ok? after that there's talk of us chancing the tope, i'm clueless with regards them.
thanks

Patrick