Both fish primarily lay on the bottom but fluke tend to be much larger and much more aggresive coming off the bottom to attack your bait. Fluke average 3-6 pounds in Long Island waters. Monsters that weigh in between 6 and 18 pounds are also caught out in the Peconic bays. This year an 18.75 pounder has already been reeled in. Drifting tends to be the most popular technique when fishing for fluke.
Tide always plays a part.
Some anglers prefer to fish on the incoming tide and others on the outgoing tide. Slack water usually does not produce fish. However, power drifting sometimes works during these periods. To 'power drift', toggle your engine in and out of forward to keep the boat moving. Take note of the bottom and any holes that may be on the bottom.