Well, sounds interesting. End of next month, OK water will be getting cold about 78 F end of November Brrrrrrr, I'm in a 3 mm now and the Temp is 83, When I started diving winter 2005, I used to laugh at everybody in a wet suit and the water was 76 F. I was from California where the water never got to 76, 70-72 maybe for 2 weeks end of Aug. Now I've become acclimatized, and water starts to feel cold at about 83 ( 3 mm) and really cold at 76 ( 5 mm ) And last winter I only dove 2 times from December to end of April. But I'm sure being from NJ the water will feel warm to you.
I would consider taking you out diving, providing you be open and honest about your experience. Now I've only been diving for 2-1/2 years, I have logged 184 dives 107 below 100 ft.
Although I've only been diving a short time I am very current, and dive as much as I can. In fact I'm going tomorrow. To the Duane, another must do wreck dive in Key Largo.
So let me know a little about you and your experience, your partner, and perhaps we can do a dive together.

Mike