We have a 13 ft. Aluminum Smokercraft, CABELS any good????

They're all good. I have one (don't know who makes it) and use it more than i would like to. I'm even thinking of getting a second one, if the wind keeps getting stronger.These last 2 years have been the windiest that i can remember. ALL boats should have one.

I'm so sick of the wind!!!

I use 2 different ones, sometimes together.  One for a 16 and one for a 30.  The key to these is scoping out a good deal of line so it has more drag.  many people run them only with the line provided which is too short to do as much good as it is capable of.

That's the down low right there,lol.  Some folks like G Welcome can set these up so efficiently after years of learning them, they can make the boat do what he wants with simple adjustments.  

Just hanging it off the side works too though, just saying, they are only more and more beneficial as you learn to use them more, beginning from day 1

Muddy, once you get one, you'll kick yourself for waiting too long.  Shop around, I found mine at boaters world for like $10 cheaper than anywhere else and it came in blue and black which was even better than the yellow ones that cost more so,...do your homework at the local stores as well as online and buy an additional line to clip to the one it comes with.

You don't need an expensive one like the Lindner series ones with the "dump" option,etc, a $25-30 line/anchor combo one will do you fine to start.

I bought one late last year in the Bargain Bin at Cabelas ... I want to say it was less than $10

Anyways, QUESTION: Just how much drag do those things put out?  Like enough to pull the boat under?

To tell you the truth I am kind of scared to use it ..lol. I just have this picture in my head of it dragging whatever side of the boat it is connected to under water : ;D

Is that just stupid or what?

Also, mine didn't come with any ropes (maybe the reason it was so cheap). Any specific suggestions?

Nothing stupid about examining the "what if's" before doing something.

But

You're worries are not needed.  It just slows the boat down.  They don't even come close to "stopping" it let alone hold it in place against a force that could capsize you.  Never happen.  Even if it gets hung up, it goes from a drift anchor,.....to a regular anchor,lol.

To give you a better visual, I often tie my big one (for a 30-36' boat) off on the oar lock hole.  That's right, it holds the boat broadside to the wind and still doesn't have any action that leads towards capsizing you or even close.

Your fears are warranted, I watched a guy get his anchor line wrapped around his prop in a strong tide once.  It spun the boat and held the stern to the waves.  Wasn't long before the boat was upside down.

Thinking ahead and being prepared is never wrong.

But go try that anchor, you'te going to love it, I promise.  To alleviate more concern, you'll notice on the line they provide, there is a foam float.  That is so you can dump the anchor at any time by simply untying it from the boat.  Because of the float, you can circle back and get it after.  

I've done this before with a big fish, dump the anchor so the fish can't wrap on the anchor line, catch the fish and go grab anchor.  

So, if your nervous, just know that a quick untie and you are totally separated from the anchor.

Where we fish wind is almost always a concern during the day,most nights it's calm,can't figure that one out. I am looking for a way to contol the boat fishing certain spots without having to fool with the trolling motor all the time(tM ONLY LAKE)

This'll do it.

I fish Erie all the time and two socks are a must I have one i have had for years its about 36 inches and another that is 42 with a adjustable outflow these really help control with  pretty good precision.