Big Bass Bonanza Slot Review UK – Tips for Demo & Real Play
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Matteo Farina, Senior Editor
Last Updated: 28/08/2025
Elliot Law, Senior Editor
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Dive into our Big Bass Bonanza slot review, which takes you on a bright, animated fishing trip with colourful visuals and upbeat charm. We’ll explore the mechanics and features that add plenty of bite, plus share tips for both demo and real money play.
Where to Play Big Bass Bonanza Slot Online
Big Bass Bonanza Slot Review
Pragmatic Play’s Big Bass Bonanza slot first launched in 2020 at the best slots sites in the UK. Its fishing theme and a bouncy soundtrack support its fast-paced gameplay on a 5×3 grid with 10 fixed paylines. Big Bass Bonanza pays out when three or more matching symbols appear from left to right, starting from the leftmost reel.
The game stands out for its simple design and gameplay. In addition, it offers a 2,100x win potential along with a free spins round that serves as the game’s main feature. Its success on online casino sites sparked a series of follow-ups, such as Big Bass Splash, Bigger Bass Bonanza, and other sequels. These stuck to the same format, while adding fresh variations to keep the series evolving.
The Big Bass Bonanza slot RTP is 96.71%, which is good for an online slot. The game is highly volatile with a hit frequency of 13%, working out to roughly one win in eight spins. Therefore, wins are less frequent but can deliver larger payouts. Additionally, bet sizes range from 10p up to £250 per spin. This wide range makes it suitable for both casual players and high rollers.
The Appeal of Big Bass Bonanza: Why You’ll Like It
Big Bass Bonanza not only became a hit on its release on top casino sites in the UK, but it also launched a revolution that still nets plenty of fans today. The following features explain its lasting popularity.
- Straightforward gameplay: A 5x3 grid with 10 paylines and a user-friendly interface make the game easy to play for both new and seasoned players.
- Flexible betting range: The stakes cater to most bankrolls, starting at 10p and climbing to £250 per spin.
- Free spins feature: Unlock up to 20 bonus spins where Fisherman Wild symbols can collect money symbols for the chance of bigger payouts.
- High RTP: With an above-average return of 96.71%, it remains appealing compared to many other online slot titles.
- Playful fishing theme: A design with fish symbols, overflowing tackle boxes, and a fisherman adds to the game’s charm and vibe.
Is Big Bass Bonanza a Hard Slot to Play?
No, it isn’t difficult to play. The layout and controls are easy to understand and sit under the reels, so the basics are clear from the start. You can also try the Big Bass Bonanza slot demo mode to see how it works before switching to real money spins.
How to Play Big Bass Bonanza
We’ve put together simple steps to help you get started with the Big Bass Bonanza slot free play or real-money mode.
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Step 1: Join an Online Casino
Find a platform that hosts this game and sign up or log in. Since it’s highly popular, you’ll find it at most top-rated slot sites, making it easy to get started. -
Step 2: Set Your Bet Size
Load the game and select a bet between 10p and £250 using the - and + buttons under the reels. Although you can reduce the number of winning paylines, this will lower your chances of hitting a win. -
Step 3: Spin the Reels
Next, press the ‘Spin’ button, and the reels will start spinning. -
Step 4: Match Symbols
Landing three or more identical symbols on an active payline will automatically trigger a win. You can repeat this process as long as it's within your budget or the free spins round is activated.
Understanding Big Bass Bonanza Payouts
Big Bass Bonanza comes with 10 regular symbols as well as a wild and scatter symbol. Landing a minimum of three identical symbols from left to right triggers a win. They must line up on one of its 10 winning paylines, starting from the leftmost reel. The fisherman acts as the wild and substitutes for all regular symbols to help complete winning combinations.
Just like many top-rated slot games, payouts vary depending on your stake and how many symbols appear. Lower-paying symbols include the card ranks, while aquatic symbols offer higher returns. We’ve highlighted their payouts in the table below.
Symbol/s | 2 Matches | 3 Matches | 4 Matches | 5 Matches |
---|---|---|---|---|
Float | x0.5 | x5 | x20 | x200 |
Fishing Rod | N/A | x3 | x15 | x100 |
Dragonfly | N/A | x2 | x10 | x50 |
Tackle Box | N/A | x2 | x10 | x50 |
Fish symbols | N/A | x1 | x5 | x20 |
A | N/A | x0.5 | x2.5 | x10 |
K | N/A | x0.5 | x2.5 | x10 |
Q | N/A | x0.5 | x2.5 | x10 |
J | N/A | x0.5 | x2.5 | x10 |
Bonus Features in Big Bass Bonanza
Besides the bonus spins, you’ll find wilds and scatters that play a key role in the base game.
- 🎣 Wild Symbols: In the base game, the Fisherman Wild substitutes for regular symbols to complete paylines. Meanwhile, he takes centre stage during the bonus spins and collects the values from money symbols, boosting your overall returns.
- 🎣 Scatter symbols: Landing three, four, or five fish scatters unlocks the free spins bonus round with 10, 15, or 20 spins.
Big Bass Bonanza Slot RTP & Volatility
The Return to Player (RTP) of Big Bass Bonanza is 96.71% by default, which is higher than the 96% average. The RTP shows how much the game typically pays back in the long term. So, if you bet £100, you would receive an average return of £96.71. Since RTP is calculated over millions of spins, it does not guarantee individual results. Every spin is random and can deliver unique outcomes.
The game is highly volatile, so wins may not land as frequently. However, they’re usually larger when they do. The hit frequency is around 13%, which is typical for high-volatility slots. Most of the biggest rewards come from the bonus spins feature, rather than the base game. This makes the slot more suitable for players comfortable with more risk when playing titles like this.
🤔 Did You Know? The slot’s RTP is variable. Pragmatic Pay provides multiple RTPs, and casinos decide which to offer. Many sites choose the highest 96.71%, but some can drop it to 95.67% to boost their house edge. Under UKGC rules, the RTP must be accessed easily so players can check it. Therefore, always open the slot’s paytable to ensure you’re playing the version with the best return.
Big Bass Bonanza Free Spins
In the Big Bass Bonanza online slot, the free spins feature plays a crucial role in hitting the slot’s biggest payouts. Landing three, four, or five scatter symbols will activate the round. Depending on the number of scatters, you’ll be awarded 10, 15, or 20 bonus spins.
During the bonus round, the Fisherman Wild becomes the one to reel in the big wins. Besides substituting for regular symbols, he collects the cash values attached to the Fish Money symbols when they appear on the same spin. Each Fisherman is also stored in a progression meter above the reels.
Every four Fisherman symbols you collect, the bonus round retriggers with an additional 10 spins. Additionally, multipliers increase with each retrigger, building up to 2x, 3x, and 10x. A total of 30 spins are awarded, giving players the best chance to hit the slot’s 2,100x jackpot.
You can often find the game included in casino bonuses, such as match deposits or free spins promos. Such offers can give you additional chances to trigger the bonus spins round in the base game, with less risk to your bankroll.
Comparing Big Bass Bonanza to Other Slots
The Big Bass Bonanza slot is now one of the most recognisable titles in the UK. In the next part of our review, we’ve lined it up against others in the Big Bass series. We’ve also included other popular alternatives to see how it compares.
Slot Game | RTP | Max Win | Volatility | Developer |
Big Bass Bonanza | 96.71% | 2,100x | High | Pragmatic Play |
Big Bass Splash | 96.71% | 5,000x | High | Pragmatic Play |
Big Bass Amazon Xtreme | 96.07% | 10,000x | High | Pragmatic Play |
Wanted Dead or a Wild | 96.38% | 12,500x | High | Hacksaw Gaming |
Book of Dead | 96.21% | 5,000x | High | Play’n Go |
Candy Blast | 96.34% | 10,000x | High | Push Gaming |
RIP City | 96.22% | 12,500x | High | Hacksaw Gaming |
Sweet Bonanza 1000 | 96.53% | 25,000x | High | Pragmatic Play |
Le Bandit | 96.34% | 10,000x | Medium | Hacksaw Gaming |
Starburst | 96.09% | 500x | Low | NetEnt |
Top Tips on How to Win at Big Bass Bonanza Slot
Like all slots, every spin in this game is random and unpredictable, making it a game of pure luck. However, keeping these tips in mind can help you get the best out of your time on the reels.
- Try in free mode: Try the Big Bass Bonanza slot demo first. Learn its features and payouts while experiencing the RTP and volatility for yourself before wagering real money.
- Check the RTP rate: As mentioned before, some platforms can choose a lower RTP than the 96.71% default to increase their house edge. Therefore, it’s important to look at the paytable first to play the one with the highest return rate.
- Create a budget: Before you start, think about how much time and funds you’re comfortable committing. Stick to your limits, avoid chasing losses, enjoy the game, and bet responsibly at all times.
- Manage your bet size well: Once you’ve set a budget, decide how many spins it can cover. Sticking to more balanced bets stretches your bankroll further and, therefore, gives you more chances to enjoy the gameplay.
- Don’t chase the bonus rounds: With high volatility and a 13% hit frequency, free spins can take a long time to trigger. So, chasing them can quickly drain your bankroll. Instead, take advantage of no-deposit or no-wagering free spin bonuses that feature this game.
Why We Like the Big Bass Bonanza Slot
After taking a close look at the Big Bass Bonanza slot, we can see why it’s become one of Pragmatic Play's most popular titles. The first of the Big Bass franchise, it hooked us in with its straightforward 5x3 set-up, animated visuals, and upbeat soundtrack.
The 96.71% RTP, wide betting limits, and free spins bonus, with wilds and money symbols, give the game its staying power. The catch is that the high volatility and 13% hit frequency won’t suit everyone. Wins can take time, especially if you’re after the free spins round. Therefore, with a max win of 2,100x and multipliers that reach 10x, it’s better suited for players who prefer high-risk gameplay.
Our final take is that this game deserves its place as a favourite for slot fans who enjoy simple and relaxed gameplay. The bonus features give the fisherman the chance to reel in the bigger catches, adding potential beyond the regular spins.
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Matteo Farina, Senior Editor
Matteo is a seasoned writer and editor with over a decade of experience. This, combined with his deep industry knowledge—ranging from casino reviews and game strategy to regulatory insights—makes him a trusted voice in the field. He offers insights in an engaging and reader-friendly manner, ensuring you get all the details you need to start your online gambling journey.
This article has been Fact-checked by Elliot Law
We prioritize accuracy, objectivity, and depth in every piece of content we produce. Our rigorous editorial standards ensure that all information is carefully sourced and fact-checked. Each article is meticulously reviewed by experienced editors and leading technology professionals to maintain the highest level of credibility and relevance. This commitment guarantees our readers content they can trust and rely on.