Fish 'Em Up from Snowborn Games represents a sophisticated entry into the fishing slot genre, combining accessible gameplay with layered bonus mechanics. Released in May 2023, this slot distinguishes itself through its 1UP multiplier system and multi-tiered jackpot structure, offering players multiple paths to significant wins while maintaining a competitive 96.11% RTP.
Introduction
The fishing slot category has experienced remarkable growth across European markets, with Fish 'Em Up positioning itself as a balanced option for both casual players and feature-focused enthusiasts. The game operates on a 5x3 grid with 20 fixed paylines, requiring minimum bets of 20p and accommodating maximum stakes up to £5 per spin. This betting range makes the slot accessible while maintaining meaningful win potential through its 5,000x maximum payout.
What sets Fish 'Em Up apart from competitors is its integration of the collect mechanic with a persistent multiplier trail. Unlike simpler fishing slots that rely solely on random fish values, this game introduces strategic anticipation through its 1UP symbol system, where players build multipliers that apply to subsequent collections. This creates a rhythm of gameplay that rewards both patience and understanding of the feature mechanics.
Core Game Mechanics and Paytable Structure
The base game operates on traditional left-to-right payline logic, requiring three or more matching symbols from reel one. The paytable reveals a tiered structure with the Fishing Reel and Pink Bait symbols serving as premium icons, paying 15x stake for five-of-a-kind based on a £1 bet. Green and Red Bait symbols follow at 13x, while card symbols A through J provide lower-tier wins ranging from 3.75x down to 1x for five matches.
The Wild symbol functions as both a substitute for all paytable symbols and the highest-paying regular symbol, delivering up to 100x your bet for a five-symbol combination. This dual functionality increases its value significantly compared to standard wild implementations, making wild-heavy screens particularly lucrative even without triggering collection features.
Symbol Distribution and Hit Frequency
The medium-high volatility rating reflects a balanced symbol distribution that produces regular small wins while reserving larger payouts for feature activations. Card symbols appear most frequently, maintaining base game momentum, while premium fishing symbols and special feature symbols have reduced reel presence to preserve their value proposition.
Betting Strategy Considerations
With a fixed 20-payline structure, bet adjustments directly scale all potential wins proportionally. The 20p minimum allows extended sessions for bankroll management, while the £5 maximum enables meaningful win amounts when features align. Players should note that all features, including the random Jackpot trigger, are available at all bet levels, eliminating any advantage to maximum betting beyond scaled returns.
Cash Collect Feature: Mechanics and Optimization
The Cash Collect feature forms the mechanical centerpiece of Fish 'Em Up, activating whenever a Collect symbol lands on reel 5 while Fish symbols are visible on any position across the reels. Each Fish symbol displays a cash value, and the Collect symbol gathers all visible values into an instant prize paid in addition to any payline wins on that spin.
Fish symbols can appear on any reel and in any position, with values ranging from small multipliers to substantial amounts relative to your stake. The feature's power lies in its potential for multiple Fish symbols appearing simultaneously, as a single Collect will gather all visible values regardless of their positions. When multiple Collect symbols land on reel 5 during the same spin, the feature triggers multiple times, with each collection calculated separately before combining into the total award.
The 1UP Multiplier Trail System
The 1UP symbol introduces a progressive element to the Cash Collect feature. Each 1UP that lands adds one level to the Multiplier Trail displayed above the reels, which can reach a maximum of 10x. This multiplier applies to the total value of the next Cash Collect activation, then resets to 1x after use.
This mechanic creates strategic tension in gameplay. Landing multiple 1UP symbols without a Collect builds anticipation for a potentially massive collection, while frequent Collects prevent multiplier accumulation but provide steady cash flow. The system rewards both outcomes, making each spin engaging regardless of whether you're building or collecting.
Free Spins Feature: Enhanced Collection Mechanics
Three or more Scatter symbols anywhere on the reels trigger the Free Spins feature, awarding an initial 10 spins. The feature transforms the 1UP system fundamentally: multipliers no longer reset after collections. Instead, the Multiplier Trail persists throughout the entire feature, accumulating with each 1UP symbol and applying to every Cash Collect that occurs.
This persistence dramatically increases win potential during Free Spins. Early 1UP symbols benefit all subsequent collections, creating exponential value as the feature progresses. Additionally, reaching specific multiplier thresholds awards extra spins: hitting 4x adds 5 spins, reaching 7x awards another 5, and achieving the maximum 10x multiplier grants a final 5 additional spins, potentially extending the feature to 25 total spins.
Free Spins Strategy and Expectations
The feature's mathematical profile favors sessions where 1UP symbols appear early, as their multiplier effect compounds across remaining spins. A Free Spins round that reaches high multiplier levels before triggering collections typically delivers the most substantial returns. The additional spins awarded at multiplier milestones serve as both extensions and insurance, providing more opportunities for Fish and Collect combinations to align.
Volatility within the feature remains high, as outcomes depend heavily on the timing and frequency of Collect symbols relative to Fish symbol density. Sessions with abundant Fish symbols but delayed Collects build larger single-hit potential, while frequent Collects with moderate Fish presence deliver steadier accumulated value.
Jackpot Feature: Four-Tier Prize Structure
The Jackpot feature operates independently of standard gameplay, triggered randomly when Seashell overlay symbols appear on reels and are collected into the treasure chest display. Activation transports players to a dedicated bonus board containing multiple concealed symbols.
The objective is straightforward: reveal three matching colored symbols to win the corresponding jackpot tier. The four available prizes scale significantly: Mini awards 30x stake, Midi provides 100x, Maxi delivers 500x, and the Mega jackpot pays the game's maximum 5,000x stake. The feature guarantees a win, as the board contains sufficient symbols to ensure at least one matching set.
Jackpot Trigger Frequency and Value
As a randomly triggered feature available on any spin regardless of bet size or game state, the Jackpot feature adds an element of unpredictability to sessions. While trigger frequency is not disclosed, the feature's existence provides an additional win vector beyond standard gameplay and Free Spins, particularly valuable for the Mega jackpot's maximum win potential.
The guaranteed-win structure ensures every trigger delivers value, though the tier won depends on reveal order. This design eliminates the frustration of bonus rounds that can end without awards, making each Jackpot activation a positive event regardless of which tier is ultimately won.
RTP Analysis and Volatility Profile
Fish 'Em Up's 96.11% RTP sits comfortably above the industry average of 96%, indicating favorable long-term return expectations. However, players should verify RTP with their specific casino, as some operators offer versions with reduced return rates, with 94.11% being a commonly available alternative configuration.
The medium-high volatility classification indicates that wins arrive with moderate frequency but vary significantly in size. Base game sessions typically feature regular small payline wins interspersed with occasional Cash Collect activations, while substantial returns concentrate in Free Spins features and Jackpot triggers. This profile suits players comfortable with balance fluctuations in exchange for meaningful feature potential.
Bankroll Management Recommendations
Given the volatility profile, conservative bankroll management suggests maintaining at least 100-150x your chosen bet size to weather dry spells between significant features. The game's hit frequency supports this approach, as base game wins provide sufficient momentum to sustain play between bonus activations.
Session planning should account for the feature-dependent win distribution. Short sessions may not provide sufficient spin volume for features to manifest their expected value, while extended play allows the mathematical model to express itself more fully. Players seeking specific features, particularly the Free Spins mode, should prepare for variance in trigger frequency.
Mobile Optimization and Technical Performance
Snowborn Games designed Fish 'Em Up with mobile-first principles, ensuring full functionality across smartphones and tablets. The interface scales intelligently, maintaining button accessibility and information clarity on smaller screens without compromising the visual presentation or feature animations.
Touch controls respond precisely, with bet adjustment, spin activation, and feature interactions optimized for touchscreen use. The game loads efficiently on modern mobile browsers and casino apps, with minimal data consumption during standard play. Animation quality remains consistent across devices, though players on older hardware may experience slight performance variations during complex feature sequences.
Comparison with Competing Fishing Slots
Fish 'Em Up occupies a middle position in the fishing slot spectrum. Compared to Pragmatic Play's Big Bass series, it offers lower maximum win potential but more frequent feature engagement through its dual-mechanic structure. Against Blueprint Gaming's offerings, Fish 'Em Up provides clearer feature logic and more transparent progression systems.
The 1UP multiplier system represents Fish 'Em Up's primary differentiator, adding a strategic layer absent from simpler collect-only implementations. This mechanic creates gameplay rhythm and anticipation that purely random collection games lack, appealing to players who appreciate visible progression systems within volatile mathematical models.
Conclusion
Fish 'Em Up delivers a well-executed fishing slot experience that balances accessibility with mechanical depth. Its 96.11% RTP, combined with the 5,000x maximum win potential across multiple feature types, positions it competitively within the genre. The 1UP multiplier system adds strategic engagement, while the persistent multipliers during Free Spins create genuine excitement and substantial win potential.
The game succeeds by offering multiple win vectors: regular payline combinations, Cash Collect features, enhanced Free Spins, and random Jackpot triggers. This variety maintains engagement across different play styles and session lengths. The medium-high volatility suits players comfortable with variance, while the accessible betting range accommodates various bankroll sizes.
For players evaluating fishing slots, Fish 'Em Up merits consideration based on its balanced feature set, transparent mechanics, and competitive RTP. It avoids the excessive complexity that burdens some modern slots while providing sufficient depth to reward engaged play and strategic understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RTP of Fish 'Em Up and does it vary between casinos?
The standard RTP is 96.11%, which is above the industry average. However, some casino operators offer a reduced RTP version at 94.11%. Always check the game information screen at your specific casino to confirm which version you are playing before committing significant funds.
How does the 1UP multiplier system work in the base game versus Free Spins?
In the base game, each 1UP symbol adds 1x to the multiplier trail up to 10x maximum. This multiplier applies to the next Cash Collect feature, then resets to 1x. During Free Spins, the multiplier never resets and applies to every Cash Collect throughout the feature, with additional spins awarded at 4x, 7x, and 10x milestones.
Can the Jackpot feature be triggered during Free Spins?
Yes, the Jackpot feature can trigger on any spin during both base game and Free Spins mode. Seashell overlay symbols can appear randomly regardless of game state, and collecting them may activate the Jackpot bonus board where you match three symbols to win one of four fixed jackpot tiers.
What is the maximum win potential and how can it be achieved?
The maximum win is 5,000x your stake, achievable through the Mega Jackpot in the Jackpot feature. While Free Spins with maximum multipliers and multiple high-value Fish collections can produce substantial wins, the guaranteed path to the 5,000x maximum is exclusively through landing three Mega symbols during the Jackpot bonus.
How frequently do Free Spins trigger and what is the average feature value?
Free Spins trigger frequency depends on the medium-high volatility profile, typically requiring 100-200 spins on average, though variance means actual frequency varies significantly. Feature value ranges widely based on 1UP accumulation and Fish symbol density, with optimal features reaching 50-200x stake when multipliers build early.
Is there an autoplay function and what limits can be set?
Fish 'Em Up includes standard autoplay functionality allowing continuous spins without manual intervention. Players can typically set spin counts, loss limits, and single win limits depending on casino implementation. The feature stops automatically when Free Spins or Jackpot features trigger, allowing manual play during bonus rounds.