I was looking at Bass Pro and noticed several kinds of drift anchors.  I never used one so I'm looking for yalls advice. I have a 19' Tracker.  Sometimes I fish open water with grass beds about 6inches under water level but the wind blows me too fast to properly fish the holes.  Wind is usualy 12-18.   Thanks.

I have a 17 1/2 foot Sea Nymph GLS 175, deep V

I use my drift sock mainly on Lake Erie when drifting for SM

I use 2 to slow the boat way down in heavy wind.

One is  Drift Control "Magnum" its the reddish color one, built very strong

It goes for about $95, but found it last year on sale at Gander Mountain for $50

it also comes with a harness

Other one is a Minn Kota,  size x-large, not as strong as the other one, but can be rolled up and put anywhere. no harness and about $30

I like the Magnum better. It is smaller in diameter than the minkota (30 inches to 44inches), but its about 2 feet longer and slows the boat better. In waves 3-5 foot and bigger the minkota has a tendency to fold in on itself and close. the magnum always stays open even in big waves.

When you look at one make sure it is weighted. One side of the opening will be weighted and the other will have floats

A drift sock would get caught up in the weeds if you are fishing a weed flat with it.  You would need roughly 2 or 3 feet of water for the drift sock to open up.

The drift sock will not get caught up in weed.

The Magnum is a sea anchor, not a drift sock.

A decent sock, available at Boater's World and such stores runs about 30-50 dollars. A 17' boat would use a 36" sock.

We use socks on just about a daily basis during the winter months, over weed beds, through wooded areas, etc. No wood and you can use a longer leash - in woody areas you need to hold the sock nearer the boat. The longer the leash, the slower you go.

"The Magnum is a sea anchor, not a drift sock." ???

they are almost same thing. sea anchor / drift sock

I know sea anchors do not have a vent/hole in the end of them to let water pass. Guess what? the Magnum does have the same vent/hole

the older ones said "sea anchor" the newer ones say "drift sock".

I have both an older one and a new one they are identicale.

I copied this is right off of the BPS website.

Lindy® Drift Control® Magnum Series Drift Socks

   

Magnum Series is constructed and designed for boat control in the most extreme angling conditions! Durable, coated Ripstop nylon fabric reduces rippling and pulsing of the sock and provides more drag than other drift socks of the same diameter. One-inch nylon straps offer added support. Unique flotation device and bottom weights yield faster deployment and prevent rotation. Packed with Harness Buoy.

Thank you all for the advice.  I'm walking out the door to go to Boaters World and then to the lake.  The wind will NOT hold me down.  Especially on my day off...... ;D