Founded in 2007, Coatesmans was born from a desire to perfect the art of spearfishing. Chris has been on a mission to build the best spearguns possible using roller technology, and has been on the forefront of speargun design and innovation for more than a decade.
What’s New for 2026?
This year we’re seriously stoked over the NEW Coatesmans Unicolor Camo XE Carbon range.
Featuring a custom grey camo design inspired by the Dogtooth Tuna (Gymnosarda unicolor), this barrel finish brings a clean, stealthy look with that grey tone. Each barrel is ultra-strong Rob Allen XE carbon barrel, with the trusted RA Vecta2 grip and mechanism.
Whether you’re looking at a CDR4, CSR3, or CSR3 Max, the new Unicolor Camo barrel is now available across the range — giving your setup a unique Coatesman touch.
What to Expect in the Coatesmans 2026 Catalogue
This year’s catalogue is stacked with the gear that watermen know and trust. The CDR4 DEVILFISH Range remains a standout, with each model individually designed and tuned for its exact gun length and shaft diameter. No one-size-fits-all nonsense here.
You’ll find both the classic clear finish and the new Unicolor Camo XE Carbon range, showcasing the full spread of rollergun options for different hunting styles and target species.
From the CDR4 and CSR3 muzzles to kits, band combos, and full setup upgrades, the catalogue is built to help you dial your gun for the fish you’ve been dreaming about.
And when it comes to shafts, getting the right fit is everything. The correct shaft choice can be the difference between a great shot or a complete miss.
Then there’s the NEW DEVILSPIKE Series Slip Tips. Each hand-polished tip is precision CNC-machined for pinpoint accuracy, then heat-treated and hardened for maximum strength.
Beyond the guns, the 2026 catalogue is loaded with new gear from upgraded float like the Coates-Float Zambie V3 and Blackfin V9, designed to keep your fish safer from the taxman, to the tried and tested Coatesmans Flasher Discs that bring fish in close and keep them interested.
Need to keep your gun protected between sessions? The Coatesmans Speargun Socksare made from durable recycled stretch fabric and built to shield your setup from scratches, sun, dust, and the chaos inside a packed gun bag when traveling.
Our apparel is inspired by the DEVILFISH. Clean lines, premium fabrics, and technical comfort that you will love whether the ocean or chilling at home.
The 2026 Coatesmans Catalogue is packed with the best of what Chris builds, tests, and believes in. Find the setup that gets you properly amped for your next mission.
If you’ve just bought a CDR4 DEVILFISH, setting it up correctly is the key to getting the performance it was designed for.
In this guide, I walk through the full process of rigging and loading a double roller speargun — from installing the reel and routing the shooting line to tensioning the bands and loading the gun safely. Follow this setup and your CDR4 will remain clean, reliable, and ready for serious spearfishing.
Quick Guide: How to Rig and Load a Double Roller Speargun
To rig and load a double roller speargun like the CDR4 DEVILFISH, follow these steps:
Install the reel and run the reel line through the muzzle eye.
Insert the shaft and ensure the shooting line sits on top.
Attach the shooting line to the reel line using a Dyneema quick-release knot.
Route the shooting line through the muzzle guides and onto the line release.
Install the roller bands and align them along the barrel.
Pre-tension the bands in the correct sequence.
Load the rear band first onto the smaller fin, then the front band onto the larger fin.
Following the correct sequence ensures your roller speargun remains efficient, cleanly rigged, and reliable in the water.
What Comes with the CDR4 DEVILFISH
When you receive your CDR4 DEVILFISH, the core components are supplied ready to assemble.
You’ll have:
The CDR4 DEVILFISH speargun
A reel
A set of bands
A shaft
Shooting line already attached to the shaft
The setup process simply brings these components together into a clean, functional rig.
How to Install a Speargun Reel on the CDR4 DEVILFISH
The reel installation is intentionally straightforward.
The reel slides directly onto the mounting rail on the gun and locks into place with a simple forward push. Once installed, release the tension on the reel line and run the line forward through the muzzle eye.
At this stage, you should have the reel mounted securely with the line running cleanly through the front of the gun.
This forms the foundation of the entire rigging system.
How to Insert the Speargun Shaft on the CDR4 DEVILFISH
With the reel mounted, the next step is inserting the shaft.
Slide the shaft into the top handle mechanism and ensure the shooting line sits on top of the shaft. This positioning is important because it allows the line to run cleanly during the rigging process and prevents unnecessary tangling once the gun is loaded.
Once the shaft is seated properly, the next step is connecting the shooting line to the reel line.
How to Attach the Speargun Shooting Line on the CDR4 DEVILFISH
At the end of the shooting line you’ll find a Dyneema loop.
Rather than using clips, the CDR4 system uses a simple quick-release knot. This approach removes unnecessary hardware, eliminates rattle points, and creates a very strong connection that can still be undone quickly if needed.
To tie the knot:
Take the tag end of the line, leaving around 15–20cm of length.
Thread it through the Dyneema loop, and wrap it around three times.
Pull the loop through itself.
Tighten the knot firmly.
This knot is extremely reliable and can easily be tied or untied in the water. To release it, simply pull the tag end and the knot comes undone.
The simplicity of this system is intentional — strong, clean, and reliable.
How to Rig the Shooting Line on a Roller Speargun
Once the shooting line is connected to the reel line, it needs to be rigged correctly along the gun.
The line runs up through the inside of the muzzle and around the first triangle guide. From there it crosses over the top of the shaft before running underneath through the main groove between the rollers.
At this stage the line can pass on either side of the line guide. Both work equally well.
From there it runs down to the line release on the handle, back up and around the muzzle, repeated a few times.
Once the line is rigged correctly, tighten the reel slightly to remove any slack. Keeping the shooting line tight is important for maintaining a clean rig and preventing tangles.
How to Install the Bands on a Double Roller Speargun
With the shaft and line now rigged, the next step is installing the bands.
The bands simply slide into position through the CDR4 muzzle assembly. The design keeps the system compact and ensures the bands sit neatly in line with the barrel.
Once installed, the gun is ready to be pre-tensioned.
How to Pre-Tension the Bands on the CDR4 DEVILFISH
On the CDR4 DEVILFISH, the sequence is important.
Start with the top two rubbers, passing them through the middle of the lower bands. These connect to the first attachment points on the muzzle. It’s best to keep the attachment points facing upward so they remain easy to access.
When pulling the bands, it’s important to maintain some tension on both bands while attaching them. If only one is pulled, the other band can slip through the muzzle.
Once the first two bands are secured, the remaining bands attach to the top mounting points. After attaching them, flip the bands underneath so
everything sits parallel and aligned. The result is a clean, low-profile setup with the bands lying flat along the barrel.
How to De-Tension the CDR4 DEVILFISH After Use
At the end of each dive day, it’s good to relax the bands.
To do this, bring the bands up over the top of the barrel so they face upward. Here you reverse the sequence to pre-tensioning the speargun. Hold both bands firmly, release the first one, then release the second, and slowly let them go.
This removes the stored tension and extends the life of the rubber.
How to Load the CDR4 DEVILFISH
The CDR4 DEVILFISH features two roller fins on the shaft — one slightly taller than the other.
This difference determines the loading order.
The bands closest to you load first onto the smaller rear fin. Once this is secure, the top bands load onto the larger front fin.
At first glance it may look like the bands sit in the way of the second loading point, but they move aside easily, allowing the second band to load smoothly.
Once loaded, the bands should sit neatly parallel with the handles tucked away between them.
How to Safely Unload the Roller Gun
When unloading a roller speargun, never simply release the bands.
The stored energy can cause them to snap forward at a high velocity, potentially damaging the muzzle or other components.
Instead, lower the bands slowly and under control.
This method protects the gun and ensures the bands last longer.
Watch the Full Setup Video
If you’d like to see the full process step-by-step, you can watch the complete walkthrough here:
The DEVILFISH series of speargun shooting lines from Coatesman's Spearfishing is designed to cater to the needs of advanced spearfisherman who demand strength, reliability, and performance in their gear. Available in three diameters—1.5mm, 1.7mm, and 1.9mm—these lines are crafted to handle various underwater hunting conditions with exceptional durability and usability.
Features and Benefits of the DEVILFISH Shooting Lines
Strength and Durability
Made with high-grade Dyneema, DEVILFISH lines boast impressive breaking strengths:
1.5mm: Perfect for smaller setups, offering a balance between lightness and strength, ideal for reef hunting.
1.7mm: A versatile option with enhanced durability, suitable for most spearfishing scenarios.
1.9mm: Engineered for bluewater hunting, this line provides maximum strength for taking on large pelagic species.
Ease of Use The lines are pre-stretched with a double-braided core and cover, ensuring they maintain their shape and structural integrity. This design also makes the shooting line very stiff, improving handling and significantly reducing tangles.
Versatility
Whether you're targeting smaller reef fish or large pelagic species, the different diameters and breaking strengths allow you to tailor your setup for optimal performance. They are designed to work seamlessly with advanced setups like rollerguns, enhancing accuracy and reducing drag.
Cost-Effectiveness
The DEVILFISH shooting lines provide top-tier performance at a competitive price, making them a smart investment for spearfisherman who prioritize both quality and value.
Why Choose DEVILFISH Shooting Lines?
Chris Coates, a renowned expert in spearfishing and rollergun setups, ensures that each product in the DEVILFISH line meets the exacting standards of seasoned spearfisherman. With a focus on performance and innovation, these lines are not only durable but also designed for ease of use, allowing you to focus on the spearing without worrying about gear reliability.
Whether you're fine-tuning a high-performance rollergun or upgrading your standard speargun setup, the DEVILFISH shooting lines are an excellent choice. Backed by Coatesman's expertise and proven in challenging conditions, these lines are the go-to solution for serious spearfisherman.
For more details or to purchase, visit Coatesman’s online shop:
This new Coatesman Single Roller Speargun Muzzle - CSR🎯 is specifically designed to fit on 26mm ID Soriatec & Ermes speargun barrels. This ultra light weight single roller speargun muzzle is the lightest roller muzzle with hybrid ceramic bearings on the market. This solves the issue with short roller guns being muzzle heavy and eliminates the need for cuttlefish barrels on shorter guns.
The CSR🎯 has been specifically designed to be as compact and low profile as possible, using 14mm bands and 7mm shaft. Careful attention has been made to where the bands lie along the barrel. Reducing the overall profile of the gun.
Almost a decade of roller gun muzzle design and experimentation has gone into making the CSR the most high performance single roller muzzle available. Without compromising on the same proven construction and robust materials used in the CDR3🎯 series.
The ALL NEW Coatesman Single Roller Speargun Muzzle - CSR🎯 is specifically designed to fit on 26.5mm ID Rob Allen speargun barrels. This ultra light weight single roller speargun muzzle is the lightest roller muzzle with ceramic bearings on the market. This solves the issue with short roller guns being muzzle heavy and eliminates the need for cuttlefish barrels on shorter guns.
The CSR🎯 has been specifically designed to be as compact and low profile as possible, using 14mm bands and 7mm shaft. Careful attention has been made to where the bands lie along the barrel. Reducing the overall profile of the gun. This makes the CSR🎯 roller on a Rob Allen carbon Barrel and Vecta2 handle the ultimate (Euro style pipe) single roller on the market.
Almost a decade of roller gun muzzle design and experimentation has gone into making the CSR the most high performance single roller muzzle available. Without compromising on the same proven construction and robust materials used in the CDR3🎯 series.
The CSR🎯 comes with the 'Easy Load Pretension Hooks' system. Eliminating any potential snags common on the old mushroom anchor points. This also makes attaching and detaching the rubbers quick and easy.
How to tie the best dyneema knot for spearfishing shafts. This is the the tried and tested dyneema knot for shooting lines on spearing shafts. Plus a few great tips and tricks, including the Coatesman's 'line wetting' trick to ensure you don't burn or damage the line when tying the knot.
In this spearfishing workshop episode, I cover my favourite single rollergun setups, starting with the 900cm speargun. This is the setup that I have found to have a good balance between power, accuracy and the overall feel of the gun.
Possibly one of the greatest factors that determine the setup I use is buoyancy. A 900 roller first off needs to have enough buoyancy to float the roller gun with the shaft out. Must remember that all the components on a gun remain the same, but the shorter the gun, the less volume /buoyancy you have to play with.
A carbon barrel in this case is essential, and also adds to counter the weight of the shaft. Even then the carbon barrel will only be buoyant enough for a 1.3m 6.6mm shaft. But if you don't mind a slightly heavier muzzle then a 7mm works really well too.
Being a short gun makes the 900 easy to load. So I prefer to hand load 14mm bands which have more than enough power to drive the 6.6mm & 7mm shafts.
Lengths will depend on your rubber. 45cm (400% when loaded) is as short as I would go if you can load it. 50cm is a good length to start with.
Speargun Setup: Gun: 900 Carbon Rob Allen Speargun or similar buoyancy
Unrolling the Spearfishing Rollergun Series Part 2 is now up.
In this spearfishing workshop episode, I cover the difference between the standard preload and the full pretension preload on rollerguns.
Here is the newest version of the Coatesman Double Roller:
Spearfishing Dogtooth Tuna off Madagascar's remote northern tip is mostly uncharted and difficult to get to. This makes for some of the most incredible Dogtooth spearfishing on the planet. Most of the spots on this trip had never been speared before, making this the ultimate spearfishing adventure.
For more info on Coatesmans Madagascan spearing adventures : Dogtooth Tuna Spearfishing Madagascar
How to Splice Single braid dyneema onto your spear with a brummel lock-splice..... and using no knots.
Hollow core or single braid dyneema is stronger than standard spearfishing dyneema. The big thing however is not the extra strength of the line it's the fact you can splice the line. Splicing the line means that you do not lose strength like you do with a knot. Making the shooting line even stronger. Making for an extremely strong and durable spearfishing shooting line.
Ascension Island is a crazy special place to spearfish. Giant Yellowfin tuna are in abundance and you can with lots of patience and burly get them to eat out of your hand.
Some of this video footage from Ascension that does not make the cut in the films is ridiculous!! @mjkqatar having fun with some tunas at Ascension Island. Looking forward to getting back there later this year.
You know it's a big one when it has an entourage of size Remora fish. This beautiful Black Tip shark was lurking around on one of the Wahoo spots. Fortunately we didn't loose any fish to this taxman :-) .... Well this day at least. . #taxman #underwaterphotography #blacktip #blacktipshark #shark #spearfishing #inhacaisland #inhaca #remora via Instagram http://ift.tt/1ooF8TY
Around this time last year @mjkqatar and I were chasing Marlin on one of my deep spots off Inhaca Island. We had fun with some feisty oceanic white tip sharks that got rather excited in the burly trail. The up side the Marlin will still be there in a few weeks when I next go chasing tails. . #spearfishing #shark #oceanicwhitetip #sharks #inhaca #mjk #marlin #bluewaterfishing #spearfishingcharters via Instagram http://ift.tt/1ogdEji
