Hi,
I would certainly vote for something like the TKCs to give you more grip and so confidence. I like others was a complete novice when it came to taking a biggish bike off road - 25 years of riding a bike on tarmac made me stiffen up when the bike moved about under me when off road. Relax! One other thing I would suggest is to 'buddy up' with somebody with more experience of trail riding if that is possible - this will help with the confidence and the learning curve.
If not, any clubs near you? I ride with TKCs on tarmac like any road tyre ( ok no going mad etc ) It sounds like you will be surprised how well the tyres handle on the
road - and unlike some other knobblies they don't sound like you are riding a tractor. In the wet just take it a little easier.