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Choosing a fishing toy for a preschooler is less about flashy extras and more about whether the child can actually use it, stay engaged, and enjoy the challenge without constant frustration. The Small World Toys Catch of the Day Bass Magnetic Fishing Game, model 3300100, uses a battery-powered fish, a working rod and reel, and magnetic lures to turn bath, pool, or wading-pool time into a simple catch-and-reel activity. Its strongest point is the moving fish, which makes the target feel more active than a static magnetic fishing set. The main tradeoff is that younger children may need help lining up the lure and controlling the reel, especially while the fish is moving.
Quick Verdict
Rating: 8/10
Best For: Children ages 3+ who enjoy water play, pretend fishing, and hands-on fine-motor activities.
Bottom Line: The moving 9 x 4-inch fish and working rod make this more interactive than a basic stationary fishing toy. It is a good fit for supervised water play, but children who are still developing reel control may need patience and adult help.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Small World Toys |
| Model | 3300100 |
| Set name | Catch of the Day |
| Product type | Magnetic fishing water toy |
| Recommended age | 3 years and up |
| Fish size | 9 x 4 inches |
| Item dimensions | 11.81 x 7.87 x 1.97 inches |
| Item weight | 15.2 ounces |
| Material | Plastic |
| Power | 2 AA batteries for the fish, not included |
| Included pieces | 1 fish, fishing rod and reel, 2 magnetic lures |
| Number of players | 1 |
| Best use | Bathtub, swimming pool, or wading-pool play with supervision |
What Is the Small World Toys Catch of the Day Bass?
The Small World Toys Catch of the Day Bass is a water-play fishing game built around one battery-powered fish that swims in water. Your child uses the included rod and reel with one of the two magnetic lures, waits for the moving fish to come close enough, and then tries to make the magnetic connection and reel it in.
The fish measures about 9 inches wide by 4 inches high and uses two AA batteries, which are not included. The current product listing identifies the set as model 3300100, with a plastic construction and a recommended age of 3 years and up.
The moving target is what separates this toy from simpler magnetic fishing games. Instead of placing several static fish on a board or in a tub, your child has to track one moving fish, position the lure, make the catch, and manage the reel. That adds a little more challenge and gives the play pattern a closer connection to pretend fishing.
Features That Matter Most
Battery-Powered Swimming Fish
The included fish moves through water instead of sitting still. That gives your child a changing target and can make each attempt feel different. It works best in a tub, swimming pool, or wading pool where the fish has enough room to move but stays easy to see.
Because the fish requires two AA batteries, you will need to supply batteries before the first play session. This is also one more part of the toy to check and maintain compared with a battery-free magnetic set.
Working Rod, Reel, and Magnetic Lures
The set includes a fishing rod and reel plus two magnetic lures. The play sequence asks your child to lower the lure, guide it toward the moving fish, make magnetic contact, and reel the fish in. That combination uses more coordination than simply picking up a magnetic piece by hand.
The challenge can also be the main source of frustration. A preschooler with limited reel control may miss the fish several times before making a catch. That is normal for this style of toy, but it means the experience may be better with an adult nearby during the first few sessions.
Motor-Skill and Pretend-Play Value
The manufacturer positions the game as a way to support hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, patience, reasoning, and problem solving. The mechanics make those goals understandable: your child watches a moving target, adjusts hand position, controls the line, and reacts when the lure connects.
The toy also gives you an easy opening for pretend play. Children can act out a fishing trip, take turns being the angler and helper, or count successful catches. The set is listed as a one-player toy, but a caregiver can still participate by helping with setup and turn-taking.
Before You Buy: This is a water-play toy with a battery-powered fish and magnetic parts. It is intended for ages 3+, and younger children may need help controlling the reel and aligning the lure. Use it with appropriate adult supervision and follow the product instructions for battery installation and water use.
Who Should Buy It?
Best For
- Children ages 3+ who already enjoy bath, pool, or outdoor water play.
- Preschoolers who like hands-on toys with a simple challenge and a clear goal.
- Families looking for a pretend-fishing activity that also uses hand-eye coordination and reel control.
Skip If
- You want a completely battery-free toy with no setup beyond adding water.
- Your child becomes frustrated quickly when a moving target takes several attempts to catch.
- You need a multi-player set with several fish and multiple rods included.
How It Performs in Real Use
In the Bathtub
A bathtub gives the fish a contained area, so your child can see the target and retrieve it easily after a miss. The smaller play zone can also shorten the distance between the fish and lure, which may help a beginner learn how the magnet connects.
In a Wading Pool or Swimming Pool
More water gives the fish more room to move and makes the activity feel closer to a small fishing challenge. The tradeoff is that a larger area can make the fish harder for a young child to reach consistently, so adult positioning and supervision become more important.
For Skill Practice
The toy works best when you treat missed catches as part of the activity rather than a failure. Tracking the moving fish, lowering the lure, and managing the reel all happen at once. Children who enjoy repeating a physical task may get more from the game than children who prefer instant results.
For Travel and Family Visits
At 15.2 ounces, the set is light enough to move from one play area to another. It can make sense for a trip where you know a tub or pool will be available, but remember that you need the fish, rod, magnetic lures, and two AA batteries together for the full activity.
Setup Tips Before First Use
Install two AA batteries in the fish according to the product instructions, then place the fish in an appropriate water area. Give your child one magnetic lure at a time at first so the play pattern stays simple. Once your child understands how close the lure needs to be, let the fish move farther away and make the catch more challenging.
Pro Tip: Start in a smaller tub or shallow wading pool before moving to a larger pool. A shorter distance between the fish and lure gives a new player more chances to practice the magnetic connection and reel without chasing the fish across a wide area.
Materials and Safety Notes
The current listing identifies the main material as plastic and describes the set as child-friendly. It does not provide a specific third-party safety certification in the product details we verified, so do not assume a certification that is not stated.
Because this toy combines water, batteries, magnets, and a fishing line, adult supervision is a sensible part of play. Keep the battery area assembled as directed, stop using damaged parts, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for setup, battery handling, and storage. The age recommendation is 3 years and up.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Battery-powered fish creates a moving target instead of a static catch.
- Working rod and reel add a more complete pretend-fishing action.
- Two magnetic lures are included.
- Suitable for tubs, pools, and wading pools.
- Play pattern supports hand-eye coordination, fine motor practice, and patience.
Cons
- Requires two AA batteries, and batteries are not included.
- Moving fish and lure alignment may be challenging for younger or less coordinated children.
- Only one fish and one rod are included, so it is not built as a head-to-head multi-player set.
What Buyer Feedback Suggests
The original article notes that parents often like the moving-fish concept and the amount of engagement it can create. It also reports a recurring usability concern: the fish can feel large relative to the fishing setup for younger children, and the magnetic lure may not connect cleanly on every attempt.
Those comments fit the design of the toy. The feature that makes the game more interesting, a moving target, also makes it less predictable than a static magnetic board. If your child enjoys practice and repetition, that challenge can be part of the fun. If your child expects an immediate catch every time, a simpler stationary set may be easier.
Best Use Cases and Value
This toy makes the most sense as a focused water-play activity rather than a general-purpose toy for every room. It is especially suitable for bath play, supervised wading-pool sessions, summer pool time, and family visits where you already have access to water.
The value comes from the combination of a moving fish and a working rod and reel. You are not getting a large collection of fish or a two-player competition set. You are paying for a single moving target that adds motion and timing to the catch.
Is It Worth the Price?
Without relying on a specific current price, the Catch of the Day Bass is worth considering if the moving-fish feature is the main reason you want a fishing toy. The battery-powered action gives it a different play pattern from basic magnetic sets, and the included rod, reel, and two lures provide everything except the two AA batteries.
It is less compelling if you mainly want maximum piece count, two-player competition, or battery-free play. In those cases, a set with several static fish and two rods may give you better value for the way your family wants to play.
How It Compares to Alternatives
The Battat Magnetic Fishing Set is a better comparison if you want two rods and several fish for shared play. Battat’s set includes four fish and two wind-up rods and is also designed for bath or outdoor water use. The Small World Toys set instead focuses on one battery-powered swimming fish, so its advantage is movement rather than piece count.
The Melissa & Doug Catch & Count Fishing Game is better suited to battery-free tabletop or floor play with counting and matching activities. It includes two rods and multiple wooden fish, but it does not offer the same swimming-fish water-play experience. Choose the Small World Toys model when moving water play matters more than counting activities or multi-player setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is the Small World Toys Catch of the Day Bass for?
The current product listing recommends it for children ages 3 and up. Younger preschoolers may still need help with the reel and magnetic alignment until they learn the motion.
Does the fish really move in the water?
Yes. The fish is battery-powered and is designed to swim in a tub, swimming pool, or wading pool. That moving target is the main feature that separates this set from static magnetic fishing games.
What batteries does the fish use?
The fish uses two AA batteries. Batteries are not included, so have a pair ready before the first play session and install them according to the product instructions.
What comes in the set?
The verified listing includes one battery-powered fish, one fishing rod and reel, and two magnetic lures. It is listed as a one-player set.
Can you use it in a swimming pool?
Yes. The product is designed for water play in tubs, swimming pools, and wading pools. A smaller water area may be easier for a beginner because the moving fish stays closer to the lure.
Is the magnetic lure easy for a 3-year-old to use?
It may take practice. The fish moves, so your child has to control the line and place the lure close enough for the magnet to connect. Starting in a smaller tub can make the first sessions easier.
Is this a good two-player fishing game?
Not by itself. The set includes one rod and one fish and is listed for one player. If you want children to fish at the same time, a set with two rods and several fish is a better match.
Who should skip this toy?
Skip it if you want a battery-free set, several fish, or simultaneous two-player play. It is also less suitable for a child who becomes frustrated by repeated misses while learning a moving-target activity.
The Bottom Line
The Small World Toys Catch of the Day Bass is a solid choice for ages 3+ when you want a magnetic fishing game that adds movement through a battery-powered swimming fish. Its working rod, reel, and two magnetic lures make the catch feel more active, but the moving target can require practice and adult help for younger players.
Buy it for supervised water play and a more dynamic pretend-fishing challenge. Skip it if you prefer battery-free play, several fish, or a true two-player set.
