Just don't get a rod with to much ultra light action. I mean like a very noodle rod, you need a little back bone to shoot with. Other than that any rod and reel will do at first. The rod should be 6 foot or less. It seems to me from a little less than 5 foot to 5 and half feet is the best length. If you shoot docks a lot, you will learn to watch your line, most of the bites you don't feel, you just see your line jump. So learn to watch your line and if it goes slack or moves set the hook. I also use hi-visibility line so you can see your line jump. You don't have to spend a lot of money to get started. If you like shooting docks you can always upgrade later. I love to dock shoot because every dock is a adventure. It might be the one with 60 giant crappie under it (that is our limit in Georgia.) The most crappie I have caught under one dock was 87 and we kept a 60 fish limit. That was fun. Good luck with your dock shooting.