Received my first higher end (to me) reel from Japan today and was surprised it came with both a cloth bag and some clear strips. They are 5 small strips on a clear plastic card.

 

The reel is a Shimano Complex XR

 

Was wondering if anyone knows that they are used for off the top of their heads? 

 

 

I think it's use is for braided or regular line.

 

Thanks. Now I know its not something I'll be using.

If you fish braid, they are very important - here, I'm using PE/acrylic mylar film tape for the same thing.  

  

@bulldog1935: so is it used to prevent braid from slipping around the spool? And if so, is it used as an alternative to using a mono backing or other thing like a piece of tape? Using a piece of tape (masking, painters, etc.) I would not use but that thin clear strip is something I might be inclined to use especially if I didn’t have any mono on hand to serve as a backing. 
 

@garroyo130: Congratulations on you latest acquisition. That is always a good thing. 👍😎

@islandbass, I've done both, mono backing on deeper spools, but I've gone more to shallow spools, where arbor knot + film tape works perfectly.  Honestly, I've never used the clear tabs that come with Shimano spinning reels.  

Mylar film tape is amazingly tough - I use it for seizing knots on kayak trolley lines, and the tape lasts as long as the double-braid sailcord - drift fishing flats with a sock, the line/tape runs up and down hull fittings 20 times/day.  

The acrylic glue doesn't let go until you want to remove it, and it doesn't leave residue.  

@bulldog1935: Thanks. None of my reels have braid on them, but if I decide to use braid, I’ll try the Mylar. 😎

I find electrical tape works fine too. In fact , pretty much any tape works.