I was gonna mention the anchor as well. You want to learn how to use it in calmer weather. An anchor in high winds can cause a roll over, and all kinds of other stuff, like broken rods, and gear pulled overboard. Check out the anchor chord maintenance options. There's a floating spool rig that a lot of people build at home. I'll look for one. The drift socks are great for open areas. It doesn't have to be open water, but they're impossible if your in heavy stumps, and trees, like at Fork. You would connect the sock, to the anchor. I find the Steak out pole, brush grabbers to be my best option, in most cases. In some cases, you might do better to deploy 2 anchors. It's only worth doing, if you're planning to stay for a while.

I use brush grabbers and drift sock much more than anchor. That being said I keep two anchors on board for triangulating my position over structure in open water.
I've never had much use for a stake out pole.

I was actually thinking about grabbing the brush grabbers out of the bass boat the other day, that's all we ever used at toledo bend.
Thanks for all the tips guys, sounds like i'll need several options.