Controlled drifting is the use of wind and motor maneuvers to control your direction while you slowly float with the wind.  Controlled drifting can be executed from the bow or the transom.  In lighter winds, turn the boat sideways to the wind and use alternate forward and reverse thrusts of the motor to follow contours as you drift downwind.  This is a good method for moving slowly downwind or for making small adjustments while you drift along a flat.

Go slowly and use vertical presentations for fishing precise edges; move faster with horizontal presentations for covering flats, gradual slopes.

Sea anchors originated as safety items on big waters.  After a boat became disabled, a sea anchor was tossed from the bow and tied off.  The drag effect kept the bow of the boat facing into the wind, deflecting the brunt of the waves, and preventing capsizing.

Anglers in the Dakotas discovered that drift socks could be used to slow a boat’s drift and enhance control in big waves.  First, the drift sock was tied off at the bow, then to bow, stern, or side cleats, angling the boat to the wind.  Sometimes two drift socks—one far forward, the other nearer the transom—are used to make the boat drift sideways more slowly in big waves.  When drifting with spinners and bottom bouncers, boat speed is reduced by about half.

Drift socks, wind socks, sea anchors, drag bags—all are colloquial terms for the same critter, a big bag dragged through the water to reduce drift speed and to enhance boat control. Socks work by presenting a big opening at the lead end that catches lots of water, which exits through a small opening at the other end.  Somehow, the mechanics of flow cause it to slow a boat better than dragging a bucket that has no exit hole.  Beyond that, your guess is as good as anyone’s.