What makes Fishin’ Frenzy different
Fishin’ Frenzy is a 5-reel, 10-payline pokie by Blueprint Gaming, originally released as a land-based fruit machine and later adapted for online play. It is one of the original collect-and-win fishing pokies — predating Big Bass Bonanza — and remains popular with NZ players who prefer its simpler, faster-paced format.
The game uses a fisherman who collects fish symbols for fixed cash prizes, with enhanced collection during free spins.
Fisherman Wild
The Fisherman acts as Wild (substitutes for all symbols) and when it lands, it collects any fish (money) symbols on the same horizontal row. Each fish symbol carries a fixed cash value displayed on the symbol. The Fisherman adds all collected fish values to the win.
Multiple Fishermen on the same spin each collect from their respective rows independently.
Free Spins
Three or more scatter symbols trigger 10 free spins. During free spins, the Fisherman’s collection scope expands — rather than collecting only from the same row, it collects all visible fish symbols across the entire grid. Additional Fisherman Wilds may also be added during free spins, increasing collection frequency.
Landing 3+ scatters during free spins adds 10 more spins.
How Fishin’ Frenzy differs from Big Bass Bonanza
Fishin’ Frenzy is Blueprint Gaming’s version of the collect-and-win fishing mechanic; Big Bass Bonanza is Pragmatic Play’s (Reel Kingdom’s) later take on the same concept. Both use a Fisherman Wild collecting fish money symbols, expanded to full-grid during free spins. Fishin’ Frenzy has a lower RTP (95.01% vs 96.71%) but a higher maximum win (10,000x vs 2,100x). The visual style is more classic British fruit machine vs Bonanza’s more polished video slot aesthetic.
RTP and volatility
Blueprint Gaming publishes 95.01% RTP — below the current 96% benchmark. Fishin’ Frenzy is medium volatility with a classic fruit machine pace. Wins occur regularly in the base game from standard combinations and occasional small fish collections.
What it costs per hour
At NZ$0.50 per spin and 400 spins per hour: NZ$200 wagered × 4.99% house edge = approximately NZ$9.98 expected loss per hour.
### Q: Why is the RTP lower than comparable fishing pokies?
A: Fishin’ Frenzy originated as a land-based fruit machine designed to different RTP standards than modern online video slots. Blueprint retained the original RTP parameters in the online version. Players choosing Fishin’ Frenzy for its classic feel are accepting a higher house edge than titles like Big Bass Bonanza.
### Q: Is there a Megaways version of Fishin’ Frenzy?
A: Yes. Blueprint released Fishin’ Frenzy Megaways with the Megaways mechanic, an enhanced multiplier system, and a higher maximum win. The original Fishin’ Frenzy described here uses 10 fixed paylines and the standard fruit machine format.
### Q: What are typical fish symbol values?
A: Fish symbol cash values are fixed multiples of the current bet — smaller fish pay smaller amounts, larger fish pay more. The exact values are shown on each fish symbol during play and scale proportionally with your stake.
Playing Fishin’ Frenzy at NZ casinos
Fishin’ Frenzy returns 95.01% over the long run. This is below the 96%+ standard for modern online pokies and reflects the game’s origins as a land-based British fruit machine — though it still sits above the 78% minimum return required at NZ land-based venues. At the NZ$0.10 minimum bet, the 4.99% house edge produces an expected hourly loss of approximately NZ$2.00 at 400 spins. At the NZ$500 maximum bet that rises to approximately NZ$9,980. The high maximum bet is unusual for a medium-volatility title and reflects the game’s land-based origins where higher stakes were standard.
Medium volatility defines Fishin’ Frenzy’s session feel. The 10-payline structure produces regular small wins from standard symbol combinations, and the Fisherman Wild’s row-collection mechanic adds periodic mid-size wins during base game play. Unlike high-volatility titles where the base game is largely a waiting period, Fishin’ Frenzy’s medium volatility means base game wins are frequent enough to sustain extended sessions at modest stakes. The free spins round with full-grid collection scope is where the largest wins occur, but the gap between base game and free spins outcomes is less dramatic than in high-volatility titles. This profile suits NZ players who prefer steady, active sessions over long dry stretches with occasional sharp wins.
The 10,000x maximum win is higher than the comparable Big Bass Bonanza (2,100x) despite Fishin’ Frenzy’s lower RTP, reflecting different pay table construction. At NZ$0.10 per spin it represents NZ$1,000; at NZ$500 it represents NZ$5,000,000. Expected hourly cost at the NZ$0.10 minimum is approximately NZ$2.00; at NZ$0.50 approximately NZ$9.98.
Longer sessions at modest stakes can still accumulate significant losses over time. Visit our responsible gambling page for NZ support services and free helpline contact details.
Q: What is the RTP of Fishin’ Frenzy?
A: Fishin’ Frenzy has an RTP of 95.01%. This means for every NZ$100 wagered over many sessions, the game returns an average of NZ$95.01 to players and keeps NZ$4.99 as the house edge. At NZ$0.10 per spin and approximately 400 spins per hour, the expected hourly loss is approximately NZ$2.00. Check the in-game information panel at your specific casino to confirm the RTP setting in use — some casinos apply lower settings.
Q: Is Fishin’ Frenzy available at NZ casinos?
A: Yes. Fishin’ Frenzy by Blueprint Gaming is available at reviewed NZ casinos on this site. Check individual casino reviews for the current game library — availability can change as operators update their game catalogues.
Q: What is the maximum win on Fishin’ Frenzy?
A: The stated maximum win is 10,000x your stake. At NZ$0.10 per spin this would be NZ$1,000.00. Maximum win figures represent the theoretical ceiling under optimal conditions — they are statistical outliers that occur rarely across millions of spins, not typical session outcomes.