The thing you need to do is search the forums. The archives here are HUGE, and I'm sure we have answered your questions many times over. There is a ton of info on how to get started all the way down the line to grizzled expert advice, so just look around and your gonna learn more than you bargained for. I doubt there is a subject about crappie fishing that we haven't covered several times here.
Don't be afraid to ask questions. Try to be specific. I've been crappie fishing for nearly 40 yrs, and I ask questions all the time. The learning never stops.
You may want to stop by the state forums for your area or where your going to fish. The local guys will help and those forums have a ton of info as well.
As far as fishing from shore, I have spent far more than half my time crappie fishing from the shore, and have caught thousands of crappies while standing on dirt, concrete, rocks, aluminum, wood, asphalt, or grass. Look for public docks or marinas where they allow shore fishing. Even if they don't if your nice and ask permission and don't look like a serial killer your likely to be the only one allowed to fish there and have a nice little crappie fishing factory to yourself. Look for creek mouths and canals, or just look for other fisherman fishing from shore.
In TX the crappies should be shallow now and often during this time the fishing is better from the shore if you find the right spot.