I bought my first boat this winter and I've only had it out 3 times.  I think I've gotten a bit better each time out on the lake, but I could really use some pointers regarding boat positioning.  I'm in windy Oklahoma which means I might need to invest in a drift anchor.  Does anyone use an anchor in rough waters?  My tm is only 43lbs which for an 18ft fiberglass boat should be bigger.

Thanks  

For an average sized bass boat a couple of small drift socks would help you a lot. When I see I'll have to deal with wind over 15 mph I'll put a second bottom anchor in and a 8' long section of logging chain, the kind with 4" long links. Dragged on bottom it'll really slow the boat down, and anchor it below about 15 mph. Anchor bow into the wind on lakes. In rivers use a brush clip that will unsnap before pulling bow under in a surge of current, or drift usig socks. Yesterday I saw a neat idea for a really cheap sock. He uses brass braising wires run through the mouth edge of gunny sacks, then solders them shut to make hoops holding the sacks open. He put another wire across the hoop to form a line tie. He gets $8 each, 2 for $15. Fair enough. He had to be warned to stop selling at the ramps, can't do it on fed property without a permit. They stow flat on the deck.

Jim