I have really been working on my slow fishing this year (really picking apart trees, brush, etc) but have always had issues with the wind pushing me a bit more than I want. I was wondering if anyone with more knowledge than myself could recommend some techniques to help with this...Also wondering if anyone has used drift socks to counter the wind we see on the lakes. Seems like a decent idea but have never thought of using one until recently.

I had a wind sock once-a guy gave me one that he no longer was using. It was a real hassle to
deploy and use-I ended up passing it on to someone else. Maybe someone else has had better luck with one.
When the wind gets over 15 or so I put the finesse stuff away and go to faster moving baits.

Ipilot

I have Ipilot and while its nice its also a bit disappointing when it comes to the anchor...The "proximity" to the location pinpointed is a bit wide. I am still getting used to it but have used as much common sense as I can (slowing to a crawl before applying, facing into the wind, etc)...

Not sure how small your boat is but this has lots of good feedback.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8t_iPFBoblU

Drift socks where a bit of a pain to get right but they work I prefer the tried and true method of attaching something heavy to a rope and chunkin it over the side. Big heavy chain slows you down pretty good.

Used a sock a lot up north (NY) to fish grass mats and edges. Works great in conjunction with trolling motor. Seems to help settle the rocking of waves as well. Definitely slows you down. Have not used much here due to timber. PS. I usually had my non boater deploy and retrieve the sock...

Many ways to build one

I use drift socks quite a bit. I'm not sure what people's issues are about deploying them. I just toss it in the water and it works. If the wind is bad I use two socks. I don't drag anchors or chain because I have had too many brush pile destroyed by people doing this.

If im not on biting fish anchored up or tied up in trees? I drift. Just started last year really drifting. Even just bought some molds, modified them to make my own drift weights. So far I like the first mod I did. Just molded 5 # of my next mold mod today. I will post info on both. Passed some on to my buddy mike cause I know hes a drifterall day lol. Waiting on that report mike! But from throwing out 2 or 3 socks and using my outboard as a rudder to straighten things out on a drift. I just know one day im gonna hook into a monster doing it .... thats my thrill of drifting, and it teaches you things about your sonar and the lake bottom. Go fishand try something never know. It may become part of your fish game. It for sure has become part of mines. Infactvgonna buy another big sock to slow the toon down more on those 20+ days.