This year it seems every time I plan a trip, the wind is a major factor. I have been beaten up all over the Southeast with everything from steady breezes to gale force winds. I wanted to take a second to show a handy tool to have on windy days that people may not always think about for the kayak.

The drift chute can be used to slow your kayak on a windy day, or to control the angle of your drift, much like a rudder. It can be rigged off an anchor trolley or secured to a place that will give the optimum angle for your drift. This will allow you to work bait or a lure in the zone at your pace or angle, instead of the conditions dictating it for you.

This particular model drift chute has a float in the upper part of the hoop and a small amount of weight in the bottom to keep it from spinning in the water. There is an opening in the bottom that allows water to escape as you pull it back into the kayak. It takes a few seconds to empty as you raise it out of the water, but weighs only a few pounds after it drains.

Drift chutes are a pretty inexpensive; this one was $25.99 at Austin Kayak. It is a handy tool to use on those days when a drag chain or anchor is not the best option, like while floating large lakes or saltwater bays and flats. Not as handy as a calm day, but sometimes you just have to forget the wind and fish.