Big Fin Bay (Thunderkick) – Review & Demo Play

Big Fin Bay - Slot Overview and First Impressions

As soon as I loaded Big Fin Bay from Thunderkick, I got that classic, sea-going vibe the studio likes to chase. It plays on 6 reels with variable heights and up to 117,649 ways to win, so every spin can spray symbols across a busy grid. It looks and feels like a Megaways style release, and the fishing theme fits the layout. High volatility is the tone, so sessions can drift for a bit and then kick hard when the screen lines up.

Game Features in Big Fin Bay

In Big Fin Bay the base game stays simple, which suits the huge number of ways. Wins land for three or more matching symbols from left to right on adjacent reels, so they do not have to sit on fixed lines. The reel heights shift on each spin, which pushes the ways from 5,040 up to 117,649 and keeps the screen feeling busy without overcomplicating the core mechanic.

Wilds and scatters are in the mix, yet the heart of the game is that constant roll of combinations across the large, variable layout. The shifting reel sizes add a rhythm to the base play, so I tend to settle in and let the ways breathe. When it flows, the grid throws frequent small hits, and when it tightens, I look for the tease that leads into the feature.

Big Fin Bay Symbols and Paytable

Big Fin Bay uses an all-ways engine rather than fixed lines, so the paytable is built around adjacent matches. Regular symbols land across the variable reels, with wilds acting as substitutes to turn near misses into hits, and scatters acting as the bonus trigger. Payouts scale with stake as usual, but the key here is position and reach across reels one to six, not a set of static line diagrams.

Because the reel heights change on each spin, the number of positions in view shifts with them. That change affects both the hit rate and how far a symbol run can stretch. In practice, I read the grid first, then the symbols. If the ways expand, the same symbols suddenly carry more routes, and if the reels sit shorter, I lean on wilds to bridge those gaps.

Big Fin Bay Symbols and Paytable

Symbol	Quantity	Payout
	6	x7
	5	x4
	4	x3
	3	x2
	2	x1
	6	x3.2
	5	x2.2
	4	x1.5
	3	x1
	6	x3
	5	x2
	4	x1.4
	3	x1
	6	x2.2
	5	x1.4
	4	x1.2
	3	x0.8
	6	x2
	5	x1.2
	4	x1
	3	x0.8
	6	x1.5
	5	x1
	4	x0.6
	3	x0.4
	6	x1.4
	5	x0.7
	4	x0.6
	3	x0.4
	6	x1.2
	5	x0.6
	4	x0.5
	3	x0.3
	6	x1
	5	x0.5
	4	x0.4
	3	x0.3
	6	x0.8
	5	x0.5
	4	x0.4
	3	x0.3
	6	x0.8
	5	x0.5
	4	x0.4
	3	x0.3
	Wild
	Scatter

Bonus Features in Big Fin Bay

In Big Fin Bay the bonus round is where the slot really shows its teeth. Landing three or more scatters on the same spin brings in a round of free spins, and that hit of anticipation when the third one lands never gets old. The feature carries the bulk of the value, and the variable ways can spike sharply during those spins when the grid opens out.

I find the session can swing hard around the feature. When the reels rise and the ways count climbs near the top end, the routes to wins multiply and regular hits start to chain. If the grid stays tight, the round can feel modest. That push and pull is part of the charm here, and it is why I time my stakes for when the bonus finally drops.

RTP, Volatility and Bets in Big Fin Bay

On the numbers side, Big Fin Bay comes with high volatility and a 96.14% RTP. Betting runs from 0.10 to 100 per spin, while the max win is x15040. The layout is 6 reels with 5,040 to 117,649 ways to win, so the grid can stretch a lot between spins. Released on 31 March 2021, it sits in that Thunderkick pocket where the base can tick over, then a strong feature can rewrite a session.

How I Play Big Fin Bay Slot Free and for Real Money

I like starting Big Fin Bay in free play, as the demo mirrors the same layout, features and hit pattern without pressure. A few test sessions help me get used to how often scatters land and how the reel heights behave. I pay attention to how the ways expand and whether wilds are pulling their weight across the centre reels before I commit a bankroll.

Once I switch to real money, I set a fixed session budget and sit around middle stakes. The high variance can chew through a bankroll if you get impatient, so I avoid stake hopping and let the grid do the work. If I hit a couple of near-miss teases in short order, I hold steady rather than chase, as the bonus is where most of the value tends to sit.

My plan is simple: chase the free spins rather than base game grinding, use a clear stop-loss, and aim for one solid feature per session. When the round arrives on a sensible bet size and the ways open out, returns can make the wait feel worth it. If it runs flat, I park the session and come back later rather than push through a cold spell.

Final Thoughts on Big Fin Bay Slot

For me Big Fin Bay is one of those games where the package comes together well. The coastal theme sits nicely with the variable 6-reel grid, the ways engine keeps every spin busy, and the free spins carry real punch. If you enjoy high volatility slots where most of the value sits in the feature, this fits the bill. I keep coming back to it when I fancy a fishing slot that can bite when the right symbols line up.