Bigger Bass Bonanza is Pragmatic Play's follow-up to its fishing slot, released on 15 October 2021. It has 5 reels, 4 rows and 12 paylines, a default RTP of 96.71% on the provider's own page, high volatility and a maximum win of 4,000x the stake. Stakes run from £0.12 to £240.00 a spin. Free spins start with 3, 4 or 5 scatters, and that round is the only place where the fisherman wild appears.
So the base game is a plain payline slot, and nearly everything that makes the title distinctive happens in the bonus. This review explains both parts, shows what the RTP figure can and cannot tell you, and points to the official demo, where the whole game can be watched on play credits before any money is involved.
Bigger Bass Bonanza in numbers
In brief: 12 paylines on a 5x4 grid, 96.71% default RTP, high volatility, no jackpot prize and a 4,000x cap. The 4,000x figure is the one given by the provider for the bonus game, and it is the one used throughout this page.
| Feature | Published value |
|---|---|
| Provider | Pragmatic Play |
| Release date | 15 October 2021 |
| Reels and rows | 5 reels, 4 rows (often listed as a 4x5 layout) |
| Paylines | 12, paying left to right |
| Default RTP | 96.71%; casinos may use another configuration |
| Volatility | High |
| Maximum win | 4,000x the stake |
| Stake range | £0.12 to £240.00 |
| Free spins | 10, 15 or 20 for 3, 4 or 5 scatters |
How the base game works
Wins come from matching symbols on any of the 12 active paylines, read from left to right. Only the highest win is paid per line, and wins on different lines are added up. That is the entire rulebook for a normal spin: there is no wild outside the bonus round and no side feature to learn.
The paytable is led by the fishing boat, followed by the fishing rod, the fishing hook, the toolbox, and the mixed fish. The card icons A, K, Q, J, and 10 fill the lower-paying places. The fish are the symbols to understand before you play, because they carry cash amounts on them - amounts that matter most once the fisherman turns up. The scatter is drawn as a caught fish.
Bigger Bass Bonanza free spins
Landing 3, 4 or 5 scatters awards 10, 15 or 20 free spins. In this round the fisherman wild joins the reels: it substitutes for any symbol except the scatter, and it collects all visible money symbols on the spin where it lands. A fish with a cash amount and no fisherman on screen is worth nothing extra; the two have to arrive together.
Wilds are also counted. Every fourth wild retriggers the feature with 10 additional spins and a win multiplier: 2x for the first retrigger, 3x for the second and 10x for the third. According to the provider, money symbols with values up to 4,000x can land in the bonus game. Most rounds end long before the third retrigger, which is one reason the game is rated high volatility - the large outcomes depend on a chain of events, each of them uncertain.
Opens the official demo on an external site. No deposit, no sign-up with us. www.pragmaticplay.com
RTP and volatility explained
Pragmatic Play lists 96.71% as the RTP, and an independent review repeats the same figure. It is a long-run statistical average, calculated over far more spins than any player makes, and operators are able to run configurations with a different return. Before playing at a casino, open the game's information panel and read the number shown there.
High volatility means that results are spread unevenly: many spins pay nothing, and a large part of the theoretical return sits in relatively few free spins rounds. It is a description of the game's design, not a prediction. Spins are random and independent, so neither the size of the stake nor the length of a losing run changes what the next spin can do.
Where it sits in the Big Bass series
Big Bass Bonanza is the first game of the series; its layout is described as 5 reels and a 10-payline setup. Bigger Bass Bonanza adds a row and two lines, and later follow-ups include Big Bass Bonanza Megaways. Names in this family are close enough to cause mistakes, and figures differ from title to title - the first game has its own pages on this site, starting with Big Bass Bonanza slot review: RTP, paytable and free spins. Check the exact title on the loading screen before comparing anything.
What we like
- Provider publishes the 96.71% default RTP on its game page
- Simple base game: 12 paylines, left to right, no hidden rules
- Official free demo covers the bonus round as well
- Stake range starts low, at £0.12
What to keep in mind
- High volatility, with most of the action locked inside free spins
- No wild and no feature in the base game
- Wilds must be collected four at a time before the round is extended
- Easily confused with other Big Bass titles
Who should consider it
Players who like a traditional payline slot with one clear bonus idea will find this easy to follow. Anyone looking for regular small wins, or a busy base game, will probably not enjoy it. Whatever the preference, begin with the demo, and if you go on to play for money, fix a budget in advance and treat it as the price of entertainment. A long dry spell does not make a bonus round more likely.
Verdict on Bigger Bass Bonanza
Judged by our methodology, this is a transparent and well-explained game. The RTP is stated by the provider, the maximum win and the free spins rules are published, and the demo is free. We hold back the top marks for two reasons: the base game offers a newcomer little to learn from, and the series has grown so many similar titles that it is easy to read figures for the wrong game. The rating is an opinion on clarity and openness - it promises nothing about outcomes.
Variance simulator
Simplified model based on the published RTP and volatility, not the game's real math. For learning only — results are random and prove nothing about future sessions.
Questions people ask
Who is the Bigger Bass Bonanza provider?
Pragmatic Play. The game was released on 15 October 2021 as part of the Big Bass series.
What is the RTP of Bigger Bass Bonanza?
The provider's page lists 96.71%. Operators can choose other configurations, so confirm the figure in the game's information panel at your casino.
What is the maximum win?
Up to 4,000x the stake. There is no jackpot prize.
Can I play Bigger Bass Bonanza on mobile?
Yes. The game is optimised for mobile, with the same rules and features as on desktop.
How do the free spins start?
With 3, 4 or 5 scatters, which award 10, 15 or 20 free spins. Every fourth wild collected adds 10 more spins and raises the win multiplier.
Is there a wild in the base game?
No. The fisherman wild only appears during the free spins round, where it substitutes for other symbols and collects money symbols.
