Theme, visuals and soundtrack
The game takes place beneath the ocean’s surface. The reels are separated by bubbles and the background is a tranquil blue seabed. Symbols include playing‑card royals (10–A) illustrated like fishing floats and several fishing‑themed icons: bait boxes, dragonflies, rods and a large bobber. The calm visuals and retro soundtrack give the slot a laid‑back feel, making it accessible even for newcomers.
Symbols and paytable
Winning combinations are formed from left to right across the 10 paylines. Low‑value symbols are the card ranks 10 through Ace, paying between 0.5× and 10× your bet for five‑of‑a‑kind. Higher‑value symbols include:
- Fishing float – pays 200× your bet for five matching symbols.
- Fishing rod – awards 100× for five in a row.
- Dragonfly and tackle box – each pay 50× for five.
In the base game the fish symbol has no payout of its own, but during the free‑spin round each fish becomes a money symbol with a random cash value from 2× up to 2,000× the total bet. The fisherman is the wild symbol: he substitutes for other symbols and only appears during free spins. The scatter symbol is a fish with a hook; landing three or more anywhere triggers the bonus round.
Bonus features
Free spins and money collection
The main feature is triggered when three, four or five scatters land in view, awarding 10, 15 or 20 free spins respectively. During free spins, every fisherman wild collects the cash values attached to fish symbols on the screen. Landing multiple wilds in a single spin means each wild collects the total, increasing the payout.
Retriggers and multipliers
Each wild collected is added to a meter above the reels. Every four wilds retriggers the free‑spin feature with 10 extra spins and a multiplier that escalates from 2×, to 3×, and finally 10× on the third retrigger. If you reach the third retrigger the fisherman collects fish values multiplied by ten, significantly increasing the win potential. Pragmatic Play caps the total payout at 2,100× your bet; if this is reached the feature ends.
Volatility, RTP and win potential
According to official and third‑party sources, Big Bass Bonanza’s RTP is 96.71 % and its volatility rating sits around four out of five. This means payouts may be infrequent but can be significant when they arrive. The maximum win is limited to 2,100× your stake (the money symbols themselves can be worth up to 2,000×), yielding a top payout of $525,000 AUD when playing at the $250 maximum bet. Compared with some high‑variance slots this cap is modest; however, the combination of collection mechanics and multipliers keeps the gameplay engaging.
Betting options and gameplay tips
Players can choose stakes from $0.10 to $250 per spin. Because wins are concentrated in the free‑spin feature, it is wise to manage your bankroll and play at a stake that allows enough spins to trigger the bonus. High volatility means dry spells are common; using the demo mode first (available on Pragmatic Play’s site and many casinos) is recommended. There is no “bonus buy” option in the original Big Bass Bonanza, so patience is key. Remember that gambling should be for entertainment and you should never chase losses.
Big Bass family and competitor comparison
Pragmatic Play’s success with Big Bass Bonanza has led to numerous sequels and has inspired competing fishing‑themed slots. The table below compares important statistics (converted to AUD) between the original and several related games.
| Game | Provider & Release year | Layout / Paylines | RTP & Volatility | Bet range (AUD) | Maximum win & features | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Bass Bonanza | Pragmatic Play & Reel Kingdom, 2020 | 5×3 grid with 10 fixed paylines | RTP 96.71%; medium–high volatility | AUD 0.10 – AUD 250 | Max win 2,100× bet (up to AUD 525,000); free spins with money collection; retriggers add 2× / 3× / 10× multipliers |
Official info & reviews |
| Bigger Bass Bonanza | Pragmatic Play, 2021 | 5×4 grid with 12 paylines | RTP 96.71%; high volatility | Typically AUD 0.12 – AUD 300 (casino-dependent) | Top prize 4,000× bet (≈ AUD 1,000,000); enhanced free spins with boat-collection mechanic and higher multipliers |
Slots Temple review |
| Big Bass Bonanza Megaways | Pragmatic Play, 2022 | Up to 46,696 ways to win | Variable RTP (~96%); high volatility | Similar to original; max win ≈ AUD 1,000,000 | Megaways engine with cascading reels; free spins feature includes a 10× multiplier on the third retrigger |
Slots Temple preview |
| Fishin’ Frenzy (Blueprint Gaming) | Blueprint Gaming, 2014 | 5×3 reels with 10 paylines | RTP 96.12%; high volatility | AUD 0.10 – AUD 5 | Max win 5,000× bet (≈ AUD 25,000); free spins with fisherman wild collecting fish symbols |
Racing Post review |
| Wild Wild Bass (Stakelogic) | Stakelogic, 2022 | 6 reels (3-3-4-4-4-4); up to 5,625 ways | RTP 96.1%; high volatility | AUD 0.10 – AUD 10 (Super Stake doubles to AUD 20) | Max win 1,289× (≈ AUD 12,890); Big Catch, Insane Catch and Super Stake features with fisher wild |
AboutSlots review |
Verdict and final thoughts
Big Bass Bonanza’s popularity stems from its straightforward mechanics and the thrill of collecting money symbols. The visuals are charming without being overwhelming, and the retro soundtrack makes the game feel approachable. The free‑spin feature – with its combination of money symbols, fisherman wilds and escalating multipliers – is the star of the show and can deliver exciting moments, especially when retriggers push the multiplier up to 10×.
On the downside, the 2,100× max win is modest compared with newer fishing slots that offer 4,000× or more. The game’s high volatility means you may endure long dry spells before hitting a bonus, so patience and sensible bankroll management are essential. Nevertheless, Big Bass Bonanza remains a great entry point into fishing‑themed slots and provides plenty of entertainment for Australian players seeking a laid‑back, yet potentially lucrative, slot adventure.
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