I use one on my 24” pontoon. It has 2 ropes. One to the mouth and one to the small end. I like to spider rig and longline troll. When it’s too windy to go my target speed I’ll use one. I’ll attach the rope that goes to the mouth end to my captain chair base. I throw it out the back. The mouth opening has weights on the bottom and floats on the top helping it open up. I use for open water. It’s helps me keep the boat pointed with the wind. I use the front trolling motor to assist with any additional slowing down and steering. If I had to go through stump fields I’d drag a chain instead. I take the second rope and attach to the side. I use it to collapse the sock when pulling in. I think the colder it’s outside the more I would NOT use it since everything seems to get wet in the area.