Etrips

Hello everyone! So my wife just introduced me into fishing while on vacation at a lake. She just bought us some cheapo $20 rod/reel combos from Walmart. One of them being a spinner and the other a baitcaster. I have to say I have throughly been enjoying fishing some catfish and a random mussel (I don't understand) releasing them after unhooking them. I think i want to invest a little bit more into the hobby but not sure where to go. Trying to get in contact with my friend to see what the bigger fish population is in northern Virginia so I can have a better direction to aim towards. Are there any rod / reels deals for Father's Day that would be suggested for fresh water fishing, not on a boat, baitcaster reel, in the $150~ price range? I think there are some lakes around here that have bass. Thank you all in advance! I love this site there is just so much information!