Best Float Fishing Line

Preston Float Max is a neutrally buoyant mono made to cover all float fishing, from stick float work on small rivers to distance pellet waggler fishing on big waters. Six strains run from 3lb at 0.16mm to 10lb at 0.28mm.

Each strain comes on a 150m spool, and the diameter is low for the breaking strain, which helps both casting and presentation. High knot strength and high abrasion resistance back that up, so it should stand up well over gravel and around snags.

It suits anglers who want one reel line for rivers and stillwaters. Next to the Korum Glide, it won't float on its own for long stick float trots, but it handles the waggler far better, and that makes it the best float reel line here for most anglers.

To be fair, a neutral line is a compromise, so specialists may want a dedicated floater or sinker. For anglers who fish the float on rivers and lakes alike, though, I think it's the most versatile choice going.

Korum's Glide Floating Reel Line floats without any extra treatment, thanks to a twelve-sided dodecagonal profile with multiple hollow channels inside. That keeps it on the surface and gives you direct contact with the float or hookbait.

Four strains are offered on 150m spools, from 5.5lb at 0.18mm to 9.9lb at 0.25mm, and it's made for fixed-spool and centrepin reels alike. Because it stays on top, mending line on a long trot should be a lot easier.

River anglers who trot a stick float will get the most from it. The Preston Float Max is more versatile, as its neutral line also suits the waggler, while the Drennan Carp Float Fish is our budget pick but isn't a dedicated floating line.

To be fair, a floating line is no use for the waggler in a wind, and it's built for buoyancy rather than extra toughness. For stick float and surface fishing, though, I think it's very hard to fault.

Drennan Carp Float Fish is a supple mono built for easier line management and float control, even when conditions are against you. As the name suggests, it's aimed at carp on the float, in 4lb, 5lb, 6lb and 8lb from 0.18mm to 0.26mm.

A slick surface finish cuts friction through the rod rings, which helps casting distance and accuracy. Knot strength is excellent too, which matters with carp on light tackle, and every strain comes on a 100m spool.

Carp anglers on a budget are the obvious fit. Next to the Korum Glide it's more of an all-rounder, though it isn't a dedicated floating line, while the Daiwa Tournament SF is a low-stretch river line on a 300m spool.

To be fair, 100m spools run out sooner, and it isn't a floating or fast-sinking specialist. For carp on the float without spending much, though, I think it's the best budget float line here.

Daiwa's Tournament SF Mono is a grey running line made in Japan, built for trotting on rivers with a low-stretch, neutrally buoyant construction. It suits every style of float fishing as well.

On a 300m spool you get four fine diameters, with 5.1lb at 0.16mm, 6.4lb at 0.18mm, 7.7lb at 0.20mm and 9.9lb at 0.23mm. That's a lot of strength for such thin line, and the grey colour is a muted, natural shade for river work.

Anyone trotting a float on running water will like the direct contact that low stretch gives. The Drennan Carp Float Fish is our budget pick and aimed at carp, while the Matrix Horizon X is the one for a waggler in wind, as it sinks fast.

To be fair, it's one of the dearer spools and tops out at 9.9lb, so it isn't for heavy snags. For long trots on running water, though, I think it's a superb line.

Built to sink ultra fast, the Matrix Horizon X is a mono for waggler or feeder fishing that gets under the surface quickly to beat wind and drift. Five strains run from 4lb at 0.16mm to 12lb at 0.24mm.

Abrasion resistance is excellent and knot strength is super high tensile, yet the line stays supple. Every 300m spool carries a 150m marker sticker, so you can split it evenly between two reels.

Stillwater anglers fishing the pellet waggler or a straight waggler in a wind will get the most from it. The Daiwa Tournament SF is the river trotting line, while the Guru Drag-Line gives you far more line for commercial work but is thicker for the strain.

To be fair, a fast-sinking line is the wrong choice for the stick float, where you want the line on top. For waggler fishing in all weathers, though, I think it's a very smart buy.

A 1000m bulk spool of Guru Drag-Line reloads several reels, in 4lb, 6lb, 8lb or 10lb. It's a mono made for method feeder and pellet waggler fishing on commercials, where it's cast, played and landed again and again.

It's extra strong, soft and supple, with high abrasion resistance, high knot strength and accurate diameters. The low-visibility light green suits float and feeder work at short to medium range, on commercials and natural venues alike.

Commercial anglers who get through a lot of line will see the value straight away. The Matrix Horizon X is finer and sinks fast for the waggler in wind, while the Matrix Power Micron X is a fine rig and hooklength line rather than a reel line.

To be fair, the diameters are thick for the strains, with 4lb at 0.20mm, so it isn't for long casts. For short to medium range commercial fishing, though, I think it's terrific value.

Accurate diameters are the point of the Matrix Power Micron X, a clear, low-visibility mono for hooklengths and pole rigs. Nine diameters run from 0.09mm at 2.0lb to 0.23mm at 9.5lb, each on a 100m spool.

Strong and supple for better presentation, it has outstanding knot strength where fine line meets a small hook. The heavier sizes can also serve as main line for pole and feeder fishing.

Pole and match anglers who tie their own rigs will get the most from it. The Guru Drag-Line is a bulk reel line rather than a rig line, while the Matrix Soft Steel goes up to 12lb for commercial carp but starts at 0.10mm. For fine, accurate rigs, this is the best rig and hooklength line here.

To be fair, 100m spools make it a rig line first, and it isn't built as an abrasion-resistant line. For pole rigs and hooklengths, though, I think it's very hard to beat.

Made for commercial carp fishing and match work, Matrix Soft Steel Ultra Power is a supple rig mono. Eight diameters run from 0.10mm at 2.3lb to 0.26mm at 12lb, all on 100m spools.

Knot strength is extremely high, which suits pole rigs and pole or feeder hooklengths, and the diameter is accurate and consistent. Being exceptionally supple, it should tie easily, and it's strong for its size too, with 10.9lb at 0.23mm.

Where it shines is on commercials, for carp anglers who want strength without a thick hooklength. Next to the Matrix Power Micron X it's rated higher at 0.23mm but doesn't go as fine, while the Drennan Supplex Fluorocarbon is less visible in clear water.

To be fair, it starts at 0.10mm, so it isn't the finest choice for shy fish on very light rigs. For carp on the pole and feeder, though, I think it's a superb hooklength line.

With a refractive index similar to water, Drennan Supplex Fluorocarbon is almost invisible in clear water. It's a 100% fluoro hooklength line that sinks well, so it should settle on the bottom, and it has impressive knot strength.

Twelve sizes run from 0.075mm at 0.9lb to 0.30mm at 10lb, each on a 50m spool. It's supple, abrasion resistant and resists degradation in sunlight, and it's less prone to spinning up on the retrieve than standard mono.

Clear water and wary fish are where it belongs, and the finest 0.075mm size is there for very delicate work. Next to the Matrix Soft Steel, it's far less visible and sinks well, while the Soft Steel is the more supple choice with more line per spool.

To be fair, fluorocarbon costs more per metre and you only get 50m on a spool. For clear water and cautious fish, though, I think it's well worth the extra cost.