Really sorry timing that the site went down like right after you posted this... but uh, listen.
You don't know how to sprite, you don't know how to code, and you're not going to learn if you avoid doing them because of that.
I was not born good at spriting. I got better at it because when I was 10 I wanted to make games and so, not knowing a thing about it, I just went ahead and did the best my little ten year old self could do anyway. It was bad-- but more importantly, it was a start. And so eventually it became not bad.
I think game projects are actually especially good for learning those things because they give you no shortage of end goals to work towards. Whether or not you finish the project and whether or not it's good, if you keep working on it then you're going to get better.
And if you don't, then you won't. It is not easy, but it also not impossible.
So throw caution to the wind and make that choice for yourself, hon.
As for programs, the reason you're told different things is because some of it is up to personal preference.
My preferences:
RMXP + Pokemon Essentials (non-negotiable), Graphics Gale (spriting), Notepad++ (notes/organization/clean scripts), Goldwave (sound editing), Fruityloops (music)
boom, done.