It’s not always bad news when something fishy is going on. Bigger Bass Bonanza is five fishy reels of aquatic online slot action, with one toe in the water and its tongue planted firmly in its gills. The theme of the game is bass fishing; one of the most popular leisure activities in the world. Did you know: in the US, an estimated 30 million anglers enjoy the sport; that’s ten per cent of the total population.  The game opens with a splash screen, introducing us to the game’s leading character: a bearded fisherman. 

BAIT AND TACKLE

The game screen is set underwater. The  graphics are bright, colourful, and clear. Icons in play include: the standard A-K-Q-J-10, a bait box, fishing reel, dragonfly lure, float, and fish of varying sizes and values. Everything you need for the perfect day on the water. A leaping bass is the scatter symbol. Land three to trigger the feature round and unlock the final icon: the wild fisherman. The slot sits in a 5 x 3 grid. The layout is functional and sharp. The game play is crisp and smooth; exactly what you would expect from the game’s developers Pragmatic Play. Bigger Bass Bonanza has 10 paylines. You have to play all ten, with every spin. Coin value and coins per line can be adjusted to suit. To win, you need to hit three matching symbols on a payline. The exception is the float icon; you need only two of these on a payline to win. It’s also the game’s regular play jackpot. Line up five in a row to win 200x your stake. Musically, the game plays it safe with some generic online slot music. Top tip: if you like it, you can actually Shazam the tune and discover the full length version.

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY

The catch of the day, for anyone playing Bigger Bass Bonanza, is its Free Spins Feature, triggered by three or more scatters.  The scatter symbol is a leaping bass. Reel in three for 10 free spins, net four and you get 15 free spins; get five scatters and you win the maximum of 20 free spins. In the Free Spins feature round, we finally get to meet our hirsute angling hero. When he hits, he reels in every bass on screen and its associated cash prize value. If there are no fish showing on the reels, he simply tosses a stick of dynamite into the water and blasts some bonus cash into your account balance. If the fisherman appears four times, the free spins are extended and you win 10 more free spins with a 2x multiplier. If he appears four more times, it repeats with a 3x multiplier. Once more and it’s another 10 spins; this time with a 10x multiplier and a chance to catch the game’s prize jackpot of 2,100x your bet. 

FISHERMAN’S TALES

Bigger Bass Bonanza was released late in December 2020. The game is a collaboration between online casino software giants Pragmatic Play and Cardiff-based design house Reel Kingdom. It’s a partnership that is catching new players, according to Pragmatic Play Chief Business Development Officer Yossi Barzely. “Our Reel Kingdom products have allowed us to reach more players than ever before and we continue to enjoy a successful partnership.

IN CONCLUSION

If fishing themed online slots float your boat, Bigger Bass Bonanza is one to get on the hook. It’s clearly a big catch for many, as its various spin-offs and sequels prove; Bigger Bass Bonanza, Bigger Bass Bonanza Megaways, and even Christmas Bigger Bass Bonanza are all on the menu. Bigger Bass Bonanza is another winning game from a development house on a roll. There are no real surprises here but the action is sharp, fun, and easy to grasp. Try it with chips, tartare sauce, or wrapped in batter. Bon appétit.