Most of the catch cans I've seen that are effective usually have a steel-wool stuffing or wire mesh to not only increase the surface area of the 'catch' material and thereby make it more effective, but the hidden and likely main reason for this is that since the PCV gasses have to navigate a longer path through the steel wool, the gas cools off significantly. This may be why some folks stick the can in the bumper or in the airflow- they dislike the slight mess the mesh creates and think it's unneeded, hindering the performance of their can.
P.S.- 'most' port-injected daily drivers will probably not 'need' a catch can. If you have a GDI engine, it may certainly help with both LSPI and intake valve deposits.