| Provider | Microgaming |
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Reel Strike is a fishing-themed video slot from Microgaming, released in June 2016, built on a 5-reel, 15-payline setup. The bonus mechanic has a genuine twist - the wild symbol can substitute for the bonus propeller, which means it can directly trigger the free spins round. Stakes run from £0.15 to £75 per spin.
Theme and Design
The game puts you on open water with a deep-blue ocean backdrop. Reel symbols include flying fish, red snapper, barracuda, yellowfin tuna, and dorado. Supporting symbols are a ski boat and its forward controls, plus the Reel Strike logo. The soundtrack is an ambient watery loop that keeps the mood consistent without drawing attention to itself. The visuals are functional rather than flashy - Reel Strike is a 2016 Microgaming classic, so do not expect the high-resolution artwork of more recent releases. Symbol design is clear and the paytable is easy to parse.
If the fishing theme appeals, Alaskan Fishing by the same developer offers a comparable mood with a different reel setup, while Fishin' Frenzy from Blueprint Gaming takes a lighter, cartoon approach to the same subject.
Paytable and Wild Symbol
The wild symbol is the fishing reel, and it is the most important symbol in the game. Five fishing reels on an active payline pays 10,000 coins - the top prize in the base game. Critically, the wild can substitute for all other symbols, including the bonus propeller. This is unusual: most slots keep bonus symbols separate from the wild substitution rule. In Reel Strike it means a wild landing on the propeller line can complete the five-of-a-kind bonus trigger.
The marlin scatter symbol pays anywhere on the reels. Three or more marlins award a payout multiplied by your total wager, but scatter symbols do not trigger the free spins round - that comes from the propeller mechanic described below.
Bonus Round: Pick Your Boat
Triggering free spins requires five propeller bonus symbols on a single active payline, with the wild counting as a substitute. This is a stricter condition than the three-scatter triggers common in most slots, but the wild stepping in to complete that line makes it achievable across the 15 fixed paylines. Once triggered, the game presents six boats. You make two picks: the first reveals your free spins count, anywhere from 2 to 7, and the second reveals your multiplier, ranging from 1x to 6x. The multiplier applies to all wins during the free spins round.
Unlike many free spins rounds, the bonus can be re-triggered during play. The pick mechanic adds a moment of anticipation before the spins start, and landing a 7-spin run with a 6x multiplier is the strongest outcome. Lower combinations are more common, which is part of why Reel Strike sits in the medium-low volatility range.
RTP and Volatility
Reel Strike has an RTP of 95.01%, which sits below the current industry standard of around 96%. Volatility is medium to low, meaning wins come with reasonable regularity but are unlikely to be large. If you prefer steady, lower-risk sessions, our guide to low volatility slots covers games with a similar profile. For a comparison within the same genre, The Reel Steal from NetEnt is another compact, lower-volatility option.
The combination of a below-average RTP and a bonus that requires five-of-a-kind on a single payline means the best sessions tend to be built around landing the wild on that propeller line and picking a favourable free spins combination. The 10,000-coin wild payout keeps a meaningful top prize visible in the base game even when the bonus takes a while to arrive.
How to Play
The 15 paylines are fixed, so all are always active. You control your total stake by adjusting coin denomination (£0.01 to £0.50 per coin) and coins per line (1 to 10). Minimum stake is £0.15 per spin (1 coin per line at £0.01); maximum is £75 (10 coins per line at £0.50). The game offers two modes: regular and expert. Expert mode unlocks the autoplay function, letting you set a number of spins to run automatically.
The paytable in the game menu shows all symbol values, scatter pay rates, and the bonus structure. Running a few rounds in demo mode before committing real money is a practical way to see how often the wild lands on the propeller line and to get a feel for the pick mechanic.
Where to Play
Reel Strike is available at a range of online casinos that carry the Microgaming catalogue. Most sites offer the game in demo mode, which is worth using to understand the unusual bonus trigger before playing for real. Check our casino reviews to find a site offering the game alongside a competitive welcome package.
Summary
Reel Strike is a compact fishing slot that does one thing differently from most: the wild can fill the bonus trigger line, so payline strategy matters more than in a standard scatter-triggered game. The trade-off is that you need all five symbols on a single active payline, which is harder to hit than a three-scatter trigger. Graphics are dated by 2025 standards, but the gameplay is clean, the betting range is wide, and the re-triggerable free spins add replay value. If you enjoy Microgaming classics with a fishing theme and a pick-style bonus, Reel Strike is worth a session.
Where to Play Reel Strike
These online casinos carry Microgaming games including Reel Strike. Read our Donbet review or browse all casino reviews.
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