The sock needs to be on a line long enough to get a good "bite" in the water--probably 15 feet from the water surface to the sock plus enough to reach from the gunnel top to the water. Extra is better as you can easily tie it off shorter. You'll need to rig a brass swivel somewhere inline for spin prevention. I also recommend a small inline float on the rope incase it comes detached so you can retrieve the sock. Generally, I mount mine midship for a broadside drift with wind, fishing off the windward side. You can bow mount it too if you want to drift parallel to a jetty keeping the side of the boat facing the rocks for fishing off the sides of your boat. If it's real windy, use two--one on bow and one on stern. Glass boats can use a smaller sock due their weight, aluminum boats need much larger socks because wind blows them easier.