Marlin Masters The Big Haul (Hacksaw Gaming) – Slot Review

Marlin Masters The Big Haul casts players into a bright and breezy ocean adventure, set in the sparkling waters of the Coral Sea. With palm-lined shores and crystal-clear waves as its backdrop, the game blends tropical charm with playful nautical flair.

The slot’s design features classic card symbols reimagined with fishing hooks, alongside marine-themed icons like turtles, shellfish, worms, binoculars, and vibrant fish. At the heart of the action is the mighty Black Marlin, a high-value symbol that anchors the game’s tiered free spin features. Fisherman Wilds, shark attacks, and progressive bonus elements add excitement and unpredictability, while a cheerful, laid-back soundtrack enhances the relaxed seafaring vibe. Altogether, Marlin Masters The Big Haul delivers a lighthearted take on the fishing genre, offering both casual fun and thrilling bonus-driven gameplay.

Marlin Masters The Big Haul is a 5-reel, 4-row video slot that features 14 fixed paylines. Designed with medium volatility, it offers a set return to player (RTP) of 96.28% and a maximum win potential of 10,000x your stake. Players can place bets ranging from £0.10 to £100 per spin.

Marlin Masters The Big Haul Symbols & Pay Table

The game includes 14 symbols in total. The five low-paying symbols are represented by traditional card values: 10, J, Q, K, and A. There are four premium symbols in the form of colourful fish—Orange, Pink, Yellow, and Blue. In addition to these are several special symbols: the Wild, the regular and Golden Fisherman, the Free Spins Scatter, and the Marlin. The Wild is the most valuable symbol in the game, awarding 10x your stake for five of a kind and substituting for all standard symbols to help form winning combinations.

Marlin Masters The Big Haul Features & Mechanics

Marlin Symbols and LootLines

Marlin symbols are unique in that they display dynamic cash values and come in both regular and Golden variants. These values are awarded when the Marlin forms part of a LootLine or is collected by a Fisherman symbol. The possible values of Marlin symbols are determined by bet multipliers, ranging from as low as 1x up to an impressive 1000x.

A LootLine is triggered when Marlin symbols align across a standard payline, and the total payout is based on the combined values of the Marlins involved. If a Golden Marlin is part of that line, it activates a special ability that spreads its value to all regular Marlin symbols on the grid before the win is calculated. Any remaining Golden Marlins not part of the initial win can also activate if a Fisherman symbol is present, sharing their value with all other Marlins. Once all normal wins and LootLine payouts have been completed, the Fisherman symbol collects all remaining Marlin values.

In instances where a Marlin’s value is too large to display fully, it is shortened to two decimal places. For example, a display of “10.25M” represents a value of 10,250,500, which is the minimum payout—the actual award may be higher.

Fisherman Symbols and Collection Mechanics

When a Fisherman symbol lands, it collects all Marlin values on the grid. Activation occurs from top to bottom and left to right after all standard wins and LootLines are paid. Fisherman symbols appear in both normal and Golden versions.

The standard Fisherman can land with a multiplier that enhances the value of all collected Marlin symbols. These multipliers can be x1, x2, x3, x4, x5, x10, x15, or x20. After collection, the multiplier is applied to determine the total payout.

Golden Fisherman symbols activate only after all regular Fishermen have acted. They collect every Marlin symbol on the grid, along with the total values already gathered by the other Fishermen. Only one Golden Fisherman can appear at a time, and the full payout from all Fisherman symbols is awarded at the end of the spin.

Bonus Feature: Don’t Be Koi

This bonus game is triggered by landing three Scatter symbols, awarding eight free spins. All base game features remain active, but an additional element—the Big Haul Bar—is introduced. Each time a Fisherman symbol lands, the bar increases by one step, regardless of whether any Marlins are collected that round. During this feature, Golden Marlins will always carry a minimum value of 3x.

Progressing along the bar enhances the bonus with upgrades. After every fourth Fisherman lands, players receive eight more free spins and improved multipliers. The first upgrade guarantees that all future Fishermen land with at least a x2 multiplier. The second upgrade increases this to a minimum of x4, and the third ensures a minimum of x10. Players may also choose to purchase this bonus for 75x their current stake.

Bonus Feature: Catch Me If You Can

This enhanced version of the free spins bonus is triggered by landing four Scatter symbols, awarding 10 free spins. The gameplay mechanics mirror those of the Don’t Be Koi feature, but with more powerful upgrades. All Fishermen during this bonus come with a guaranteed minimum multiplier of x2, and Golden Marlins now carry a minimum value of 5x.

The first upgrade awards 10 additional free spins and increases the minimum multiplier to x4. The second pushes this to x10, and the final stage boosts it further to a minimum of x15. This version of the bonus delivers significantly higher win potential through its stronger multipliers and can offer extended sessions with repeated upgrades.

Hidden Epic Bonus: Hooked on Paradise

The most rewarding feature in the game, this hidden epic bonus is triggered by landing five Scatter symbols, which awards 10 free spins. While the core mechanics remain the same, this mode introduces Sticky Fisherman symbols. One Sticky Fisherman is present on the grid from the beginning of the bonus and stays in place throughout the round, collecting Marlin values every time they land.

Sticky Golden Fisherman symbols can also appear and remain active for the entire bonus. These collect both Marlin and other Fisherman values. If a Sticky Golden Fisherman is present, no other Golden Fishermen can appear during that round. At the end of the bonus, all collected values from the Sticky Fishermen are paid out in full. In this bonus mode, Golden Marlins come with a guaranteed minimum value of 3x. For those who prefer direct access to the top-tier experience, this feature can be purchased for 200x the chosen stake.

Conclusion

Marlin Masters The Big Haul delivers a thrilling blend of high-seas adventure and feature-rich gameplay, anchored by its dynamic Marlin symbols, powerful Fisherman modifiers, and escalating bonus modes. With its clean visuals, solid math model, and potential for big wins up to 10,000x, the slot strikes a strong balance between excitement and strategy. Whether you’re chasing LootLines or aiming for the elusive Golden Fisherman, The Big Haul offers a rewarding and engaging fishing experience for casual players and high-stakes hunters alike. Be sure to try out this game on launch and check out our exclusive casino offers.