Big Bass Bonanza Keeping It Reel Slot Review
SlotTribe 250 Spin Test – Date: 28 October 2026 – Result: -151.30 – Bonuses: 2 – Biggest Win: 15x
Overview
Big Bass Bonanza Keeping It Reel is Pragmatic Play’s October 2022 entry in the Big Bass series, released with an RTP of 96.07% and a max win of 10,000x. It’s built around the classic fisherman formula but adds Golden Wilds, level‑up multipliers, and a more aggressive volatility profile. On paper, it’s one of the heavier‑hitting Big Bass titles — but only if the bonus decides to show up and actually do something.
Our 250‑spin session was the complete opposite. Even with two bonuses, the slot delivered nothing but pain. The base game was dry, the bonuses were weak, and the highest win outside the feature was a miserable 15x. Mick’s Take sums it up perfectly: when a Big Bass slot gives you two bonuses and both are dead, you’re in for a rough ride.
Keeping It Reel has the potential to climb levels and unleash big multipliers, but this session showed the darker side of the slot — long dead patches, weak bonuses, and a balance that evaporates faster than you can blink.
SlotTribe Test Results to 1.00 Stake
100 Spins Profit/Loss: -81.20
250 Spins Profit/Loss: -151.30
Bonus Frequency: 2 Bonuses
Volatility Feel: High volatility, bonus‑dependent, brutal base game
Mick’s Take
Even with two bonuses I still got an absolute pasting here. You guessed it — both bonuses were shit, an 11x and a 14x. Coupled with a dry base game, highest win a 15x, meant only one thing: a massive minus.
RTP, Provider & Release Date
RTP: 96.07%
Provider: Pragmatic Play
Release Date: October 2022
Max Win: 10,000x
Gameplay & Features
Scatter Trigger – Up to 20 Free Spins
Landing 3, 4, or 5 scatters triggers the free spins round with up to 20 free spins. This is the heart of Keeping It Reel — everything revolves around getting into the bonus and hoping the fisherman actually shows up.
Golden Wilds
Golden Wilds are the main twist in this version. When they land, they can collect money symbols and boost the bonus potential. In theory, Golden Wilds are the key to climbing levels and unlocking bigger multipliers. In practice, they didn’t do a thing in our session.
Level‑Up Multipliers
Every fourth wild collected moves you up a level and increases the multiplier:
- Level 1 → 2x
- Level 2 → 3x
- Level 3 → 10x
This ladder is where the slot can reach its 10,000x max win. But like many Big Bass titles, climbing the ladder doesn’t guarantee action — our bonuses didn’t even get close.
Base Game Behaviour
The base game in Keeping It Reel is harsh:
- Long dead stretches
- Rare mid‑range wins
- Scatter teases with no payoff
- Highest base win only 15x in our session
It’s one of the more unforgiving Big Bass base games, especially when the bonus isn’t cooperating.
Bonus Behaviour
Both bonuses in our test were flat:
- First bonus: 11x
- Second bonus: 14x
No level‑ups, no Golden Wild impact, no momentum. Just two limp features that barely moved the balance.
Volatility & Behaviour
Big Bass Bonanza Keeping It Reel behaves like a high‑volatility slot with a brutal base game and inconsistent bonuses. When the bonus fires properly, the slot can climb levels and deliver big multipliers. But when it doesn’t — like in our session — the slot feels dead, punishing, and completely unwilling to give anything back.
Mick’s emotional read fits perfectly: two bonuses, both useless, and a balance that got hammered.
Graphics & Sound
The visuals follow the Big Bass style — bright colours, cartoon fish, and the fisherman front and centre. The Golden Wilds add a bit of flair, and the animations are smooth. Sound design is classic Pragmatic: upbeat jingles, scatter teases, and the familiar Big Bass bonus music.
What It Does Well
- Potential for huge multipliers
- Golden Wild mechanic
- Up to 20 free spins
- Classic Big Bass theme
- Strong max win potential
What It Does Badly
- Bonuses can be completely dead
- Base game extremely dry
- High volatility with no safety net
- Level‑ups rarely matter
- Balance bleed is brutal
Who It’s For
Players who enjoy:
- High‑volatility Big Bass slots
- Bonus‑driven gameplay
- Level‑up multipliers
- Money symbol collectors
- Pragmatic Play’s fishing series
SlotTribe Verdict
Big Bass Bonanza Keeping It Reel is a harsh, high‑volatility slot that can deliver massive wins when the bonus behaves — but our session showed the ugly side. Two bonuses, both dead. A dry base game. Highest win 15x. This slot can absolutely explode, but when it’s cold, it’s colder than the North Sea. A proper balance‑killer if the fisherman doesn’t show up.
