utah flyfisherman coming east

[Fishguts]

First off, I am thrilled to fish for salt water species. I spent the better part of my youth chasing blues and stripers up and down the atlantic seaboard. While living in the west I have converted to flyfishing and cant wait to hook into something with some shoulders. I have an eight weight rod with DT line. The question I have is this. I think that I will be allright with the rod but have some concern with the DT line. oh by the way it is floating. Do I need weight foward or a shooting would you suggest sinking or floating? what I am hoping is to come up with an all around line. Most likely I will be fishing flats and who knows where else. Also I am looking to tye up some flys any suggested paterns, if so what sizes and colors. I will be in the area the end of may I dont know if that narrows it down any. Well any suggestions would be helpful thanks