Never done this before

needing to pick some of yer brains

I am going to rest my casting arm over the autumn and winter due to a recurrent soft tissue problem(not tennis elbow).So my plan is to do some trotting for grayling

.I know i need a float rod approx 13ft i have been told a small bait reel with very light line ?3lb

.What floats ,hooks,shot etc should i be getting.Tactics and how to fish a river like the clyde,earn or isla.For example what area of a river will possibly hold the fish? pools or glides.Will hope to get out on the FFF grayling days on the earn if shifts permit but any advice gratefully accepted.
mick