New to South Branch Raritan River

[TheAnaconda]

Hello everyone,

Glad to be on the boards.

So in the next month or two I will be moving to the Mount Olive area, right near Budd Lake and, more importantly to me, within walking distance of the South Branch Raritan River. I currently only own a 6' Field and Stream Tech-Lite Ultralight Rod with a Shimano Sienna 1000 reel, which I used for some light trout fishing in Rockaway. With the river so close, I wanted to start going after some SMB, as well as some other species in the river (LMB?), and I assume that my setup is too light. I have $100-200 to spend on a new rod (or 2) and would like something that can be used as kind of a base to fish a few different baits or lures with and build upon as I get more gear. I do prefer casting to spinning, however I understand that spinning may be the preferred gear here depending on lure size and other factors.

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated, as well as any other information anyone has about fishing the SBRR in this area. Thanks!!