First off, I have a Tracker 1448, which doesn't have nearly the weight of a bass boat to keep it from being blown around in the wind.
On windy days, when I find a piece of offshore structure or bait ball on the graph and throw out a marker bouy, then go a hundred yards upwind, by the time I grab my rod and get on the deck, I've already drifted way downwind, past the marker. I've been looking at drift socks, but I don't know how practical or effective they might be. I've also considered dropping a mushroom anchor to create drag, but I'm afraid that would spook the fish. Trying to use my trolling motor to maintain position was just frustrating.
Does anyone have any suggestions or can tell me how they approach maintaining boat position on open water?

Well, a couple of ideas...

If you're lucky enough to have any timber, stumps or stick ups in the vicinity, I use one or two of these.

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/blakemore-8-brush-gripper/pid-19334?N=283850192&affcode=42&kwid=ps_cse&cid=PLA_001992460&kwid=productads-plaid%5E78041091558-sku%5E001992460-adType%5EPLA-device%5Ec-adid%5E51684504678

The addition of a powerpole might also help if the water is less than 8 feet deep. (and I'm a fan of the less expensive pole... i paid like 1300 for mine, sure it's not as pretty painted, but whatever, it works like a champ)

Over 8 feet, I would have no problem dropping an anchor. Fish have a short memory, even if you spook em, they will forget all about it within 20 minutes.

I also am the type that actually enjoys sticking to one are for a while. So my wife and I will usually tie up to something and maybe work that area real good for a an hour or more before moving just maybe a 100 feet, tie off again.

In a solid wind, especially anything approaching 15 mph, the trolling motor is a huge pain to deal with, it's very frustrating, even in a bass boat. I would say anchors are so cheap, why not have two of them board and just give a whirl. One at the front and one at the back on the opposite side should hold you pretty solid.

Nice looking boat btw! Don't let the wind ruin it for you.

And for the weight of your boat, I would consider, at the very least look at, one or two of these

http://www.power-pole.com/jlmarine/power-pole/micro.aspx

Crank the trolling motor highest speed and get after it, also you can already put your trolling motor in the water crank it up high and big motor idle to the bouy and jump up to the trolling motor and face the front of the boat into the wind and keep at it, trolling motor will be like an anchor that'll hold you in that place, runs down battery's quickly but beats going and fishing a mud hole out of the wind. Lol

folks offshore structure might be in the range of 15+ feet in which a power pole would be useless. I would look for a large drift sock, or an anchor to hold you in place and get it on an anchor reel so you can get it up faster and down quicker and more hassle-free.

I own one of those and I have mixed feelings about it. I had to return one because it stopped working but customer service was fairly swift. Now with my new one I have to click to button multiple times to get the anchor down. Its pretty annoying but when it works it is convenient. It also sticks up 9 feet out of your boat, so thats pretty annoying too. They are expensive. With that said, there is nothing else quite like it and its great when its working.

Another thing to think about is upgrading your trolling motor, if you have a 45lb thrust upgrade to a 70lb thrust and it will hold your light boat there much easier. Just another option

I own a Tahoe, heavier but catches wind more than a bass boat so I know your pain. I anchor off too one of the rear cleats so I can cast downwind to my target and use the trolling motor to keep from swaying back and forth. It's a quick fix and $20 for a decent anchor.

get a terrova, it will hold you pretty well against the wind

Yes a windsock will help you. You will still need to use the trolling motor but it will slow the boat down. The bigger the sock the better. I got tired of fighting the wind and bought a terrova and haven't looked back

The power pole is pretty much useless in open water over 10 feet. I have a manual pole for shallow water that uses a 3/4" fiberglass solid rod. But for deep water, no good. A Terrova would be awesome, but I don't have the boat or budget to justify the cost (er, to my wife). I have limited space in the boat so maybe a couple mushroom anchors, or maybe one sock, one anchor? In any case, it has to be a solution that's kinda inexpensive.

Thanks very much. I did the entire buildout myself. I made the steering console out of some old solid cherry cabinet doors someone gave me years ago.

^^^^^
This is good advice. Sock is least expensive "temp" fix. Bigger trolling motor helps big time!

Put your troll motor deeper in the water.