Suggestions on Fly fishing weights

[LightGearMike]

Greetings and salutations Fisherladies and Fishergents,

I am finally breaking down and trying full time fly fishing but I need some advice. I've had some wonderful friends who gave me 2 rods and reels for my birthday that are 3wt 9' and 5wt 9.5' set ups. I know fishing our northern Jersey rivers may present a problem because of the rod lengths, but what do you guys think would be more fun to fish with? Mind you by my name here, i'd prefer the 3 wt or even less but I don't want to lose fish, and flies, if the rod cant handle it. Also, based on your collective wisdom, I will probably be looking for a 6'-7' version of the better wt rod for small streams.

Preemptively, thank you all!