Using a drift sock while fishing?

Yes and yes

Drift sock? Is that another name for what we used to call a "sea anchor"?

They use the hell out of them here in TX. Galveston Bay, Trinity Bay, etc. A lot of the fishing is drift fishing over oyster beds, reefs, spoils piles, etc. and the drift socks work awesome for that. A guy I work with uses 2 to really help him control the drift speed. Get past the target area just ease them up, crank the engine, go back around, and set them out again.

Then paddle harder.

I may give them a try. im hoping it will help slow down being pushed towards a canal bank by a cross wind also.

Also useful for boat positioning. Can hang off middle/side to keep boat sideways. Off back to allow deck first.

if you leave the dock without the sock in the Galveston Bay system you're a dead motherfricker. hard to bump jigs off the reef drifting 5 mph.

Yes. I once had a girlfriend with giant boobs.

Her bra worked perfect for this application.