Big Bass Bonanza

Overview

Big Bass Bonanza is the slot that launched the modern fishing-slot genre. Reel Kingdom built it; Pragmatic Play distributes it. The premise is simple: land the fisherman wild during free spins to “collect” fish symbols that carry multiplied cash values. Nothing else — no base game modifiers, no buy feature, no complexity. One bonus, done properly.

We played AU$300 through it over three sessions. Two hit the free spins. One paid 42×. One paid 187×. The third ended in the base game with no bonus. That variance is the game.

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Game specs

Provider

Pragmatic Play (Reel Kingdom)

Released

December 2020

Reels / rows

5 × 3

Paylines

10 (fixed)

RTP

96.71%

Volatility

Medium–High

Max win

2,100× stake

Min bet (AU)

AU$0.10

Max bet (AU)

AU$50

Bonus buy

No

Mobile

Yes — HTML5, all devices

AU availability

Boho, Jackpot Jill, Stake.com.au + more

How to play

The layout is a standard 5×3 grid. Set your stake ($0.10–$50), hit spin. All 10 paylines are always active — nothing to configure. Wins pay left-to-right for 3+ matching symbols on adjacent reels. The only mechanic that matters is the scatter trigger:

3 scatter symbols

10 free spins

4 scatter symbols

15 free spins

5 scatter symbols

20 free spins

Symbols & paytable

Values shown as multipliers of your per-line bet. 5× / 4× / 3× symbols.

Symbol

5×

4×

3×

FLT

Float (top)

200×

20×

5×

ROD

Fishing rod

100×

15×

3×

FLY

Dragonfly

50×

10×

2×

BOX

Tackle box

50×

10×

2×

AKQ

A / K / Q / J / 10

10×

2.5×

0.5×

WLD

Fisherman (Wild)

Substitutes + collects

SCT

Bass (Scatter)

3+ triggers free spins

CSH

Money fish

Random cash values (bonus only)

Bonus features

Free Spins — the only feature

During free spins, the Fisherman Wild appears on the reels. When it lands alongside Money Fish symbols, it collects all visible fish cash values. Multiple Fishermen in the same spin each collect the full amount — a multiplier in practice.

After 4 Wilds collected

+10 free spins + 2× multiplier

After 8 Wilds collected

+10 free spins + 3× multiplier

After 12 Wilds collected

+10 free spins + 10× multiplier

Maximum: 50 free spins (20 initial + 3 × 10 retriggers). Max win is achieved at the 10× stage with high-value fish symbols.

Dynamite mechanic

If a Fisherman Wild lands when no Money Fish are visible, there's a chance he throws a stick of dynamite — transforming random base symbols into Money Fish for him to collect. A consolation mechanic that prevents empty Wilds from being dead.

✓

What works

+One of the cleanest bonus mechanics in the genre

+Full 96.71% RTP available at AU operators

+Escalating multiplier trail up to 10×

+Low $0.10 minimum bet

✕

What doesn't

−Single feature — no base-game variety

−High variance: dry spells between bonuses

−Some operators run the downgraded 94.50% build

Expert verdict

Tom Whittaker

I’ve played this game probably 400 times testing various AU operators. It holds up. The single-feature design that looked like a limitation in 2020 is now the reason it’s still in the top 10 — players know exactly what they’re sitting down for. The multiplier trail in the bonus gives genuine escalation, and the 10× stage is one of the most satisfying things a pokie can deliver.

My one note for AU players: make sure you’re playing the full 96.71% build. The gap to 94.50% is real. Always check before you deposit.

FAQ

Is Big Bass Bonanza available to AU players?
Yes — it’s available at most AU-facing casinos including Boho, Jackpot Jill, Stake.com.au, Fair Go, and Playamo. Check our full list above for which operators run the highest 96.71% RTP version.
What's the minimum bet in AUD?
The minimum bet is AU$0.10 per spin, with a maximum of AU$50.
How often does the free spins bonus trigger?
On average roughly once every 250–300 spins, though variance means it can be much longer between triggers.
Is there a Big Bass Bonanza bonus buy option?
No. The original Big Bass Bonanza has no buy feature — later titles in the series (e.g. Big Bass Splash) do.
What's the difference between Big Bass Bonanza and Bigger Bass Bonanza?
Bigger Bass Bonanza uses a 5×4 grid with 12 paylines and a higher 4,000× max win, versus 5×3 / 10 lines / 2,100× on the original.
Can I play Big Bass Bonanza on mobile?
Yes — it is built in HTML5 and runs on all modern iOS and Android devices in the browser.