Never used a stripping basket until the current in the river would pull the flyline downriver & shorten casts by hindering the shooting of the line. On the flats they help keep the weeds off the flyline, or from becoming entangled in oyster bars & a quick tug will cut the flyline. On the beach the basket keeps the flyline from dragging in the sand, over the shells & under rocks, or getting entangled in the weeds from the surf & on the beach; all of which will shorten the effectiveness of the coating & at less than 1/3rd the price of a new flyline it just might add a year or more to the flylines fishability. On a boat in the winds it will keep the flyline from tangleing on objects, going overboard when you need that extra 30' for a good cast or keep the flyline out from underfoot. Also comes in handy for a place to temporarily put the rod & reel to get a drink or for changing flies &/or tippet without dragging the reel through the sand or giving it a saltwater bath, which just creates more work in having to service the reel instead of just rinseing it off.