Big Bass Secrets of The Golden Lake Slot Review
History and folklore buffs probably have plenty to say about the fabled King Arthur, but in today’s Big Bass Secrets of the Golden Lake slot review, we discover that fishing was the legendary ruler’s favourite pastime. Pragmatic Play created this 5 reel, 10 payline game, which includes a couple of potentially explosive free spins bonuses where accumulating Money Fish reels results in cash awards. Land Fisherman Wilds throughout the features to increase the number of free spins and bring multipliers into play. Find out more as we cast our line and reel in in-depth Big Bass Secrets of the Golden Lake review.
Big Bass Secrets of The Golden Lake
Big Bass Secrets of The Golden Lake RTP and Wagering
The Big Bass Secrets of the Golden Lake slot has five reels, three rows, and ten fixed paylines. A winning combination is formed when three, four, or five matching symbols and/or wilds appear from left to right on a payline. The lone exception is the float, which requires only two or more.
Stakes here range from 10p to £250 per spin. To alter your bet size, use the plus and minus buttons or the options tab. As all 10 paylines are fixed, getting started is as simple as setting your wager and clicking spin. If you are not in the UK, Autoplay is available. Once activated, the Big Bass Secrets of the Golden Lake can spin between 10 and 1,000 times automatically. There are also options for setting win, stop, and loss limits.
Big Bass Secrets of the Golden Lake has an RTP rate of 96.07% which is a little above market average. However, there are two other math models available at 95.07% and 94.07% so be sure you are playing at an online casino with the best RTP percentage.
This is a high volatility slot game with a maximum rating from developers Pragmatic Play of 5 out of 5. The hit frequency rate is 14.29%, which means a winning combination will appear once every 6.99 spins which is a very punishing statistic, especially considering most high volatility slots will not have a hit rate higher than 5 or 6. The chance of triggering free spins is not much better, taking 113 spins on average.
The Big Bass Secrets of the Golden Lake slot machine, like the others in the series, has a maximum win of 5,000 times the bet. The maximum win probability is one in 3,378,378 spins (3.378 million) yet another stingy statistic.
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Big Bass Secrets of The Golden Lake Symbols and Audio & Video Design
The Big Bass Secrets of the Golden Lake slot machine features a fishing theme with an Arthurian legend twist. Yes, truly! It has come a long way since the initial Big Bass game, Big Bass Bonanza, in late 2020, though even further back in time than we might have thought.
The Big Bass Secrets of the Golden Lake slot machine transports players to a world where the rustic appeal of fishing meets the ethereal grandeur of Arthurian legends.
The game distinguishes itself with a unique concept that is as refreshing as a nice breeze over the lake. Players find themselves on the banks of a mythical body of water the Dozmary Pool, home of the Lady of the Lake is said to contain unimaginable treasures, including the legendary Excalibur.
The design aesthetic includes sharp, colourful visuals that bring the subject to life. The game's setting is a tranquil, golden-hued lake surrounded by lush flora and ancient, rune-inscribed stones.
The audio accompanying gameplay captures the magical and adventurous mood of Big Bass Secrets of the Golden Lake slot. The melodic music, interspersed with soft sounds of water and the occasional knightly fanfare, creates an immersive experience that is compatible across devices.
The reel symbols include playing card royals complete with mediaeval-style typography, as well as fish, a tackle box, a fly, a fishing rod, and a float. The float is the most rewarding standard symbol, earning 200 times your total stake if you land five on any line.
The Fisherman Wild sign is represented by King Arthur, who has a regal beard and a golden crown. He appears in the Free Spins feature and replaces all conventional symbols. There is also a Fish Scatter, which activates the free spins; but more on the bonus features later on in our review.
The full paytable for the Big Bass Secrets of the Golden Lake slot is as follows:
Ten
3, 4, or 5 matching symbols across an active payline awards 0.2x, 1x, or 5x the total wager.
Jack
3, 4, or 5 matching symbols across an active payline awards 0.2x, 1x, or 5x the total wager.
Queen
3, 4, or 5 matching symbols across an active payline awards 0.2x, 1x, or 5x the total wager.
King
3, 4, or 5 matching symbols across an active payline awards 0.2x, 2.5x, or 10x the total wager.
Ace
3, 4, or 5 matching symbols across an active payline awards 0.2x, 2.5x, or 10x the total wager.
Any Size Fish
3, 4, or 5 matching symbols across an active payline awards 1x, 5x, or 20x the total wager.
Tackle Box
3, 4, or 5 matching symbols across an active payline awards 2x, 10x, or 50x the total wager.
Fishing Rod
3, 4, or 5 matching symbols across an active payline awards 2x, 10x, or 50x the total wager.
Dragonfly
3, 4, or 5 matching symbols across an active payline awards 3x, 15x, or 100x the total wager.
Float
2, 3, 4, or 5 matching symbols across an active payline awards 0.5x, 5x, 20x, or 200x the total wager.
Fisherman Wild
Substitutes for any paying symbol to form a winning combination. Is used as a collector symbol during the bonus feature.
Fish Scatter
3+ or more landed within a single spin triggers the Free Spins bonus.
Big Bass Secrets of The Golden Lake Mobile Features
Big Bass Secrets of the Golden Lake, is a 2024 release which means it is up to date in terms of technology and therefore plays well across platforms. The bright visuals are tidy and sharp, and the action is simple, even if you are playing on a small-screen device like a smartphone or tablet. It is accessible for Android, Windows, and iOS phones, as well as PCs, laptops, and Macs.
Big Bass Secrets of The Golden Lake Bonus Features
The Big Bass Secrets of the Gold Lake slot has an extensive selection of bonus features which still retain the iconic fish cash symbols and fisherman collector wild that is iconic to the Big Bass series. A full rundown of the Big Bass Secrets of the Golden Lake slot review bonus features are explored below:
Scatter Triggers
When two Scatter symbols appear in view, one of the following features can be triggered:
- Both Scatter symbols can move down one position and the remaining reels will respin for a chance at a third Scatter.
- Following the halt of the reels, a third Scatter may emerge at random.
- Pick from the cards presented to reveal the type of bonus that has been triggered.
Free Spins
Landing three to five scatter symbols on the reels in the base game activates the free spins feature. Players are awarded 10 to 20 free spins, depending on the quantity of scatters. What makes the free spins feature so exciting is the ability to retrigger extra spins and multipliers, increasing the possibility of massive prizes.
Before the round begins, players can choose a card that will reveal either the conventional free spins round or the unique Golden Lake Free Spins feature.
Similar to other entries in the Big Bass saga, there are Money Fish symbols, with values ranging from 2 to 5,000 times your entire bet that land on reels. Whenever the Arthur Fisherman Wild lands, all Money Fish values are collected and awarded as prizes. Here is an example of how the feature operates:
- Money Fish symbols of 2, 5, and 10 times the bet land on the reels.
- If no Fisherman Wild lands, they swim without without awarding anything to the player.
- If a Fisherman Wild lands on the reels the fish will be reeled in and the player will win 17 times the bet (2 + 5 + 10 = 17).
- If two fishermen wilds land on the reels at once they will both reel in the fish, resulting in a total payout of 34x the bet.
Furthermore, each Fisherman Wild that appears on the reels during free spins is stored within a metre above the reels. Collect four Fisherman Wilds to get a retrigger and an additional ten free spins. The fish's values are multiplied by two and then their overall value when reeled in is doubled.
Collect another 4 Fisherman Wilds, and another 10 free spins are added, with the multiplier increasing to 3x. If you manage to collect four Fisherman Wilds again, the multiplier assigned to the Money Fish increases to ten times during the extra ten free spins. The winning potential for the free spins bonus round is as follows:
| Fisherman Wilds Collected | Extra Free Spins | Money Fish Multiplier |
| 4 | 10 | 2x |
| 8 (in total) | 10 | 3x |
| 12 (in total) | 10 | 10x |
Golden Lake Free Spins Bonus
The Golden Lake Free Spins Bonus is awarded if players reveal the relevant card when the Free Spins bonus is first triggered. In the Golden Lake Free Spins bonus, you will be given 10 free spins on a new set of reels made up entirely of blanks, Fisherman Wilds, and Money Fish symbols. If you land a winning combination composed entirely of Money Fish symbols, you will win the sum of their respective values.
When the Fisherman Wild emerges, he pulls in the winnings associated with all of the fish, just like in the ordinary free spins game. Once again, Fisherman Wilds are collected and can offer retriggers, resulting in 2x, 3x, and 10x multipliers that increase the value of the fish.
However, this alternate free spins bonus comes with some extra features too:
- When there are Fisherman Wilds but no Money Fish symbols, they can appear at random to award a payout.
- When there are Money Fish symbols but no Fisherman Wilds, a hook will draw a random reel up, bringing Fisherman Wilds onto it.
- Keep an eye out for curtains that can flow across the reels when there is a Fisherman Wild but no money fish on the reels. When they are removed, all symbols on the screen except the Fisherman Wild are replaced, giving you another chance to win.
Feature Buy (Non-UK)
Players from outside the UK can utilise the Feature Buy option for instant access to the free spins bonus round(s). There are two options available:
- For 100x their total wager amount players can gain instant access to the Free Spins feature.
- For 270x their total wager players can gain instant access to the Golden Lake Free Spins feature.
Ante Bet (Non-UK)
By wagering an additional 50%, more Scatter symbols are added to the reels, boosting the likelihood of triggering Free Spins. When Ante Bet is activated, the Buy Feature option is disabled, and the RTP remains unchanged. When employing Ante Bet, any wins are calculated in accordance with the base bet.
Big Bass Secrets of The Golden Lake Final Thoughts
I cannot say that the words ‘Arthurian Legend’ would ever bring the words ‘Bass Fishing’ to mind, but somehow someone at Pragmatic Play did. I will never criticise a developer for having a creative approach to slot concepts, however, I feel like the journey made from Big Bass Bonanza to Big Bass Secrets of the Golden Lake feels like a far-reaching one, just begging for some storytelling to not only serve as an explanation but also enhance the immersion and gameplay elements of the slot.
For example, as a history/folklore fan, I know that the Dozmary Pool; essentially a lake, has a key role within the mythos being where Arthur acquires Excalibur, but I know the majority of players; particularly international ones would be left scratching their head. A good story of how we got here and why would have been a great addition which would have reinvigorated a much-loved slot series which has become a little stale of late.
In terms of the gameplay elements of the slot, the Big Bass Secrets of the Golden Lake is a bit of a mixed bag, sometimes reeling in treats worthy of Excalibur such as the combination of bonus features, in particular the second chance elements and the two free spins bonuses. On the other hand, and more often than not, the Big Bass Secrets of the Golden Lake feels like a game where fishes constantly escape the hook or the fisherman catches nothing but an old boot.
The statistics for this slot are where I have the biggest gripes. The math model, outside of the RTP which is a little above average (so long as you are playing the most optimal version), is nothing short of punishing. With a hit rate of pretty much 1 in 7, super high volatility, free spins triggering on average after 133 spins, and jackpot payouts of 1 in 3,378,378 spins; despite the relatively low (when compared to other super-high-volatility games) top prize of 5,000x stake, this slot feels designed to frustrating. Personally, I am not sure this is a title that, personally, would want to spin all that often; especially given the large number of fishing-themed slots out there. For these reasons, I give Big Bass Secrets of the Golden Lake a somewhat lacklustre 6/10.
Rating: 6.0
If you like Big Bass Secrets of The Golden Lake, then check out these other Fishing Theme slot games
Big Bass Secrets of The Golden Lake FAQ
Here are some of the most common questions we get asked about Big Bass Secrets of the Golden Lake.
