Best-of guide
Right, here's the lot. Every bit of mainline we've dug into, ranked by our on-paper score — that's our own desk research on specs, build and price across five things: product quality, performance, how much it helps you catch, ease of use and value for money. We haven't bank-tested these, so treat it as a smart shortlist, not gospel.
Top of the pile right now: Preston Innovations Reflo Powerline Mono (9.1/10), Preston Innovations Reflo Power Line (9/10) and Drennan Supplex Feeder Line (8.9/10). Tap into any review for the full lowdown, the comparison and a buying checklist.
Top tip: match the kit to how and where you actually fish before chasing the highest number. A cracking bit of gear for big open waters can be overkill on a snug club pond. How we score.
91%Preston Innovations
Reflo Powerline Mono
A soft, clear and properly versatile monofilament for pole rigs, hooklengths and delicate coarse-fishing work.
90%Preston Innovations
Reflo Power Line
A cracking clear monofilament for hooklengths and pole rigs, with loads of diameter choice and the stretch to cushion lively bites.
89%Drennan
Clear monofilament reel line
A cracking clear mainline for float, feeder and method fishing, with low diameters, plenty of choice and the sort of easy handling that keeps a session free from daft tangles.
89%Drennan
Float fishing monofilament
A smart olive-green mono for wagglers, stick floats and busy match swims, with enough stiffness to keep line control tidy without feeling like wire.
88%Drennan
Carp Feeder & Method Line
A sensible, fast-sinking mono for feeder and Method work, with a useful spread of breaking strains and a slick finish that helps you reach the far bank without faffing about.
88%Drennan
Clear monofilament reel line
A cracking all-round reel line for float, feeder and method work, with enough strength options to cover everything from silvers to proper carp.
88%Daiwa
2400m · 0.20mm · 3.1kg
A cracking bulk spool of dependable mono for coarse and match anglers who want plenty of line without rinsing the tackle budget.
Gardner Tackle
Covert Dark Carp Line
A dependable, low-key carp mainline that keeps things simple when you want your rig fishing properly and your line blending into the lakebed.
Drennan
Power Float Line
A dependable float-fishing mainline for match anglers who want clean handling, sensible stretch and enough muscle for proper coarse-fishing work.
88%Drennan
Drennan Piker Braided Reel Line
A tough, floaty predator braid for lures, deadbaits and drifter work. Proper handy stuff when your mainline needs to behave itself around pike.
88%Drennan
Pale brown sinking mono, 4lb–12lb, 100m or 250m
Pale-brown reel line for feeder and method work, sold in six strains. The useful bit is knowing exactly which diameter and spool length you're ordering.
87%Preston Innovations
Clear · 100m spool · Multiple strengths and diameters
Soft, clear mono with high knot strength and useful stretch. Reflo Power makes most sense on your pole rigs and hooklengths, where choosing the right diameter matters more than chasing a big breaking-strain number.
86%Guru
Clear mono · 100m spool
Clear Japanese co-polymer for hooklengths and pole rigs, with a useful spread of diameters. Just don’t mistake the 100m spool for a bulk mainline buy.
85%Drennan
Original clear Supplex Mono · 100m spool
Clear, ultra-limp mono with a useful spread of strengths. Supplex makes plenty of sense for float and lighter feeder work, though that 100m spool needs a bit of planning.
83%Drennan
150m spools · 8lb, 10lb and 12lb options
Thin, smooth and stretch-free, this eight-carrier mainline is aimed squarely at distance feeder and bomb work. Just leave the heavy-handed striking at home, mate.
81%Drennan
100m spool · 4lb, 5lb, 6lb and 8lb options
A straightforward 100m mainline for float fishing, with a soft feel, a slick finish and sensible strength choices. Just match it to the swim, not simply the size of carp you fancy catching.
81%Drennan
100m and 300m spools; 5lb, 6lb, 8lb and 10lb options
A dark brown, fast-sinking mono aimed squarely at feeder fishing. Sensible strength options and two spool sizes make it a straightforward choice for commercial-water work.