Reel 'Em In Slots Review - Fishing Bonus, Sticky Wilds & Free Play

Reel 'Em In Slot - Overview

Reel 'Em In is one of those slot names that has been reused across different eras and cabinets, which can make searching for it confusing. The 2014 WMS game is a straightforward 5-reel, 20-payline video slot with a 95.99% RTP and medium volatility, according to VegasSlotsOnline. It is not a Megaways game, it does not have hundreds of paylines, and it does not pretend to be anything other than a mid-volatility fishing slot with free spins and a bonus round.

The 2023 Light & Wonder release, Reel 'Em In! Tournament Fishing, is a different beast. SlotCatalog lists it as a 5x3 game with 20 always-active win lines, a top prize of 1,014.5x, and RTP variants of 96% or 94%. It adds sticky wild fish, random bait ball modifiers and cash offers. If you are looking for the older WMS game, the newer one will feel like a sequel with extra mechanics rather than a straight port. Light & Wonder game page

The appeal here is the fishing theme and the bonus structure. Players who prefer simple line wins and a single bonus round will get on better with the 2014 version. Those who want sticky wilds and random modifiers should look at the 2023 game. Neither version is a guaranteed payout, and the RTP figures are long-run theoretical averages, not session predictions.

What We Liked

• The 2014 WMS game has a clear 95.99% RTP and medium volatility, which sits in a reasonable range for a video slot.
• The 2023 Light & Wonder version is listed with RTP variants of 96% or 94% and a top prize of 1,014.5x, so players can see the version differences.
• The fishing theme is consistent across both games, with free spins, wilds and bonus rounds tied to the angling idea.
• The 2023 game's sticky wild fish and cast-back mechanic add a decision point that the original lacks.

What is the Reel 'Em In Slot?

Reel 'Em In is a fishing-themed slot. The name has been used for at least two distinct games. The first is a 2014 WMS video slot with a 5-reel, 20-payline layout, a 95.99% RTP and medium volatility, as listed on VegasSlotsOnline. That game includes free spins and a bonus round.

The second is Reel 'Em In! Tournament Fishing, released by Light & Wonder in 2023. SlotCatalog describes it as a 5x3 fishing-themed slot with 20 win lines that are always active. It has a top prize of 1,014.5x, a minimum bet of 0.20 and a maximum bet of 20. It also lists RTP variants of 96% or 94%. The game includes sticky wilds, random bait ball modifiers and cash offers. Light & Wonder page

Because the two games share a name but differ in mechanics and release date, this review treats them separately. The 2014 WMS game is the older video slot. The 2023 Light & Wonder game is the newer release with the Tournament Fishing subtitle. If you are searching for free play, the older WMS game is listed as a free-to-play demo on VegasSlotsOnline, though the site notes that no demo is currently available. The newer game has a free demo available on SlotCatalog.

Reel 'Em In Slot Machine At A Glance

The table below separates the two verified versions. It does not mix statistics from the 2014 WMS game with the 2023 Light & Wonder release.

The 2014 WMS game has a wider betting range, with a maximum bet of 100, while the 2023 Light & Wonder version caps at 20. The newer game publishes a top prize of 1,014.5x, but the older game's maximum win is not stated in the available source. The RTP for the 2023 game depends on which configuration the operator uses; the 96% and 94% figures are both listed by Light & Wonder.

Reel 'Em In Slot RTP, Payout and Volatility

Return to Player (RTP) is a theoretical long-run average. It is not a prediction of what a session will pay, and it does not mean a slot is due a win. The 2014 WMS version of Reel 'Em In has a listed RTP of 95.99% and medium volatility, according to VegasSlotsOnline. Medium volatility generally means the game sits between low-volatility slots that pay smaller amounts more often and high-volatility slots that pay larger amounts less often.

The 2023 Light & Wonder version, Reel 'Em In! Tournament Fishing, is listed on SlotCatalog with RTP variants of 96% or 94%. The same source states a top prize of 1,014.5x and medium variance. The maximum bet is 20, and the minimum bet is 0.20. Light & Wonder page

If you are comparing the two, the older WMS game has a single published RTP of 95.99%, while the newer game has two possible RTP settings. The version you encounter depends on the operator's configuration. Neither RTP figure guarantees a payout in any individual session.

How to Play Reel 'Em In

The core controls are similar across both versions, though the 2023 game adds a cast-back decision during free spins. Here is a general sequence for playing either game.

1. Set your bet. The 2014 WMS game has a minimum bet of 0.20 and a maximum of 100. The 2023 Light & Wonder game has a minimum of 0.20 and a maximum of 20.
2. Check the paytable. Each version has its own symbol values and bonus rules. The 2023 game includes sticky wild fish and cash offers that are not in the 2014 game.
3. Spin the reels. Both games use a 5-reel layout with 20 paylines. The 2023 game's 20 win lines are always active.
4. Watch for bonus triggers. The 2014 game includes free spins and a bonus round. The 2023 game includes a Free Spins Bonus where sticky wild fish can land.
5. During the 2023 Free Spins Bonus, decide whether to cast back your wild fish for cash or keep them stuck on the reels for a potential bigger win.
6. Set a session budget before you start. RTP is a long-run average, not a session plan.

The 2023 game's cast-back mechanic is the main strategic difference. It gives you a choice between taking a cash offer and leaving wilds in place. The 2014 game is more straightforward: trigger the bonus and watch it play out.

Reel 'Em In Gameplay, Graphics & Sound

The 2014 WMS game is an aquatic-themed video slot. The VegasSlotsOnline listing describes it as aquatic-themed, which fits the fishing idea. The graphics are from 2014, so they are not as detailed as modern releases, but the theme is clear.

The 2023 Light & Wonder version, Reel 'Em In! Tournament Fishing, is described on SlotCatalog as a 5x3 fishing-themed slot set on a lake bottom with vegetation and fish. The game includes a Free Spins Bonus with sticky wild fish and random bait ball modifiers. Light & Wonder page

Both games use the fishing theme consistently. The 2023 version has the more modern presentation, with the sticky wild fish and cast-back mechanic adding visual and interactive elements that the 2014 game does not have. The 2014 game is simpler, which some players prefer.

Reel 'Em In Slot Features

The features differ by version. The 2014 WMS game includes free spins and a bonus round, according to VegasSlotsOnline. The 2023 Light & Wonder game includes sticky wilds, random bait ball modifiers and cash offers, as listed on SlotCatalog. VegasSlotsOnline Light & Wonder page

The 2023 game's Free Spins Bonus can land 1x3, 2x3 or 3x3 sticky wild fish. During the bonus, you can cast back your wild fish for cash or keep them stuck on the reels. The random bait ball modifiers are another feature that can appear during play. The 2014 game does not have these mechanics.

Neither game is a Megaways slot, and neither uses a cluster-pays system. Both use 20 paylines. The 2023 game's 20 win lines are always active, while the 2014 game uses a standard 20-payline setup.

Bonus Features: Wilds, Multipliers, and Free Spins

Sticky Wild Fish (2023 Light & Wonder version)

During the Free Spins Bonus, sticky wild fish can land as 1x3, 2x3 or 3x3 symbols. These wilds stay in place, and you can choose to cast them back for cash or keep them for the rest of the bonus. This feature is specific to the 2023 game.

Random Bait Ball Modifiers (2023 Light & Wonder version)

SlotCatalog lists the Bait Ball feature as active during the base game and triggered randomly to deliver one of three outcomes: Bad Bait, Wild Bait or Bonus Bait.

Cash Offers (2023 Light & Wonder version)

The 2023 game includes cash offers, which are tied to the cast-back decision during free spins. You can take a cash offer instead of keeping your sticky wilds.

Free Spins and Bonus Round (2014 WMS version)

The 2014 WMS game includes free spins and a bonus round, according to VegasSlotsOnline. The source does not specify the number of free spins or the exact bonus round mechanics.

Multipliers are not listed as a feature in either version by the available sources. If a multiplier feature exists in a different version or update, it is not documented here.

Other Reel 'Em In Features

The 2023 Light & Wonder game has a top prize of 1,014.5x, which is a fixed maximum rather than a progressive jackpot. The 2014 WMS game's maximum win is not stated in the available source. Neither game is described as a progressive jackpot slot in the sources we have.

The 2023 game's bet range is 0.20 to 20, while the 2014 game's range is 0.20 to 100. The 2023 game has RTP variants of 96% or 94%, while the 2014 game has a single listed RTP of 95.99%. SlotCatalog lists the 2023 game's variance as medium.

Autoplay is not listed as a feature for either game in the available sources. The 2014 game's comparison table on VegasSlotsOnline lists autoplay as "No" for Reel Em In.

Where to Play Reel 'Em In

Reel 'Em In is a WMS game, and WMS content is now part of Light & Wonder. The 2023 version, Reel 'Em In! Tournament Fishing, is listed on SlotCatalog with a free demo. The 2014 WMS version is listed on VegasSlotsOnline as a free-to-play demo, though the site notes that no demo is currently available. Light & Wonder game page VegasSlotsOnline

Availability in Ireland depends on the operator. We do not have a source that confirms which Irish-licensed casinos offer either version. You can browse our Irish casino reviews to see which operators carry WMS and Light & Wonder content, but always check the game lobby directly. SlotCatalog lists a release date of 20 July 2023, but that does not guarantee every Irish operator has it. Irish casino reviews

If you are looking for free play, SlotCatalog has a free demo for the 2023 game. The 2014 game's demo is listed on VegasSlotsOnline but is currently unavailable there. Free demos are for fun and do not pay real money.

Other Slot Games You Might Enjoy

If you like the fishing theme, you might also enjoy Fishin' Frenzy, Fishin' Frenzy The Big Catch, or Big Bass Bonanza. For more WMS and Light & Wonder slots, see Buffalo Triple Power or Raging Rhino. You can also browse our full slot review index.