Fish ‘n’ Nudge Big Catch: Slot Overview
When something works in the world of online slots, it’s only natural to ride the wave—and that’s exactly what Push Gaming has done with Fish ‘n’ Nudge Big Catch. This sequel builds on the foundations laid by the original Fish ‘n’ Nudge, which surfaced a couple of years ago. That game felt like a clever blend of Big Bass Bonanza, Fishin’ Frenzy, and Razor Shark, offering players a fresh way to net Instant Prizes. Now, Fish ‘n’ Nudge Big Catch carries the torch forward, reworking the free spins multiplier system and introducing new special symbols to shake things up.
Visually, the action dives once again into a vibrant underwater world filled with weeds, bubbles, and the soft shimmer of the sea. While static images may not do it justice, the in-game animations are slick and immersive. The transition from the blue-toned base game to the purple-hued bonus round adds a nice touch, especially on larger screens. So far, it all feels familiar—but under the surface, Fish ‘n’ Nudge Big Catch tweaks the stats and mechanics just enough to set itself apart from its predecessor.
Fish ‘n’ Nudge Big Catch: Slot Stats & Symbols
For Fish ‘n’ Nudge Big Catch, Push Gaming has dialed back the intensity, shifting the volatility from medium (in the original) to low, making this sequel a gentler ride overall. Despite the softer edge, the maximum RTP has been nudged up slightly to 96.44%, and the betting range remains unchanged, spanning from 10c to $/€100 per spin. The layout also stays familiar, with action playing out on a 5×4 grid across 20 fixed paylines.
A Push Bet option is available as well, increasing your stake by 20% in exchange for enhanced odds of triggering free spins—a useful boost for players hunting bonuses.
As for symbols, the paytable includes:
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Low pays: three types of seashells
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Mid pays: two hooked items
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High pays: Fish, fishing rods, tackle boxes, and lighthouses
Landing 5-of-a-kind wins pays out 1x to 20x the bet, depending on the symbol. Also of note is the Fisherman Wild, which appears on all reels, pays the same as the lighthouse, and substitutes for all symbols in the base game except for scatters and Nets.
Fish ‘n’ Nudge Big Catch: Features Breakdown
Push Gaming brings back core elements from the original while layering in fresh mechanics to keep things dynamic. Returning players will notice updates to Net, Fisherman, and Fish symbols, while Instant Prizes, Free Spins, Boat and Boost symbols, plus a suite of bonus buys, round out the feature lineup.
Net, Fisherman & Fish Symbols
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Net Symbols:
These are 4-position overlays that can appear anywhere on the reels in both the base game and free spins. In the base game, after each spin, any visible Net symbols nudge down one position per spin until they drop off the grid. Their key role is enabling prize collection. -
Fisherman Symbols:
Fishermen may land at any time and act as wilds in the base game, substituting for all regular symbols. When a Fisherman lands in a Net, it collects all visible Instant Prizes from Fish symbols on the reels—whether those Fish are in Nets or not. -
Fish Symbols:
These land with Instant Prize values from 0.5x to 100x the bet. A Fish must land in a Net to have its value awarded—even if a Fisherman is not present. If both a Fish and a Fisherman land in the same Net, the Fish’s prize is paid twice: once directly and once via the Fisherman’s collection.
Free Spins Feature
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Triggered by 3 or more scatters in the base game:
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3 scatters = standard free spins
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4 scatters = free spins with x5 starting reel multipliers
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5 scatters = free spins with x10 starting reel multipliers
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During free spins, only Fish, Fisherman, Boat, Boost, and blanks can land.
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Reels 2 and 4 begin filled with Net symbols, and their corresponding Lock Meters start fully activated (3 locks).
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With each spin, one lock is removed per active Lock Meter. Once a meter unlocks, the Net stack on that reel starts nudging down each spin.
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Free spins continue as long as any Net symbol remains on the reels. Additional Net stacks can land to prolong the round.
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Fish symbols don’t form line wins but pay their prize when caught in Nets or by the Fisherman.
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Reel multipliers (shown above each reel) apply before Fish prizes are collected.
Boat & Boost Symbols (Free Spins Only)
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Boost Symbol:
Increases the reel multiplier by +1 step on the Multiplier Meter before wins are evaluated. -
Boat Symbol:
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If the Lock Meter is inactive and no Net symbols are present, the reel fills with a new 4-high Net stack, and the Lock Meter activates with 3 locks.
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If some Nets are present, the Boat fills the rest of the reel and resets the Lock Meter to 3.
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If the Lock Meter is already active, it simply resets the locks to 3.
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Feature Buy Options
Players can shortcut to free spins through the following buys:
| Feature | Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| x1 Multiplier Spins | Standard free spins | 68.6x bet |
| x5 Multiplier Spins | Starts with x5 reel multipliers | 209.5x bet |
| x10 Multiplier Spins | Starts with x10 reel multipliers | 359x bet |
| Random Free Spins | Random starting multiplier | 180x bet |
Fish ‘n’ Nudge Big Catch: Slot Verdict
The addition of “Big Catch” to the title hinted that this sequel might offer a bigger, bolder experience than the original. And in terms of features, Fish ‘n’ Nudge Big Catch does bring more elements to the table. However, Push Gaming has taken a surprising turn by dialing back the volatility from medium to low, while also lowering the maximum win potential significantly — from 10,000x in the original to just 3,094x here.
That move feels a bit unexpected, and while it may be a response to player feedback, reducing the top prize is rarely something that excites players. It’s a decision that makes this sequel feel more like a toned-down variant than a true upgrade.
One of the biggest gameplay changes is the shift from a global multiplier in the original to individual reel multipliers in the free spins round. Previously, the multiplier increased automatically on every free spin and applied to all Instant Prizes. Now, you’ll need Boost symbols to increase multipliers, and those only apply to their respective reels. Technically, the RTP is slightly improved, but the overall experience can feel more grindy and less rewarding.
That’s not to say Fish ‘n’ Nudge Big Catch is a flop. Push Gaming still delivers a visually appealing, polished game with creative mechanics. For players seeking a low-volatility fishing slot — a niche not heavily saturated — this title could be the right catch. The challenge of lining up Fisherman and Net symbols adds some tension, and it still offers a respectable set of features and bonus options.
But when compared to its predecessor, Fish ‘n’ Nudge Big Catch feels like a lateral move rather than a leap forward. For die-hard fans of the original or collectors of fish-themed slots, it’s a decent addition. For others, it might come across as a smaller splash than expected.