The bayou is causing serious trouble on Swamp People. Water levels are dangerously low. Hunting gators is harder than ever. Still, the job has to get done.
This week, Troy Landry had more than tags on his mind. He was competing against his son Jacob. The goal was simple. Whoever caught the biggest gator would win. The loser would face a very embarrassing task. Troy would work the register at the family store. Jacob would have to wash his dad’s truck if he lost.
Troy headed out with Pickle. They started slow. Small gators were not enough to beat Jacob. Then things picked up. Pickle helped Troy land a 9-footer. Soon after, they spotted something bigger. It turned out to be an 11-footer. That was their biggest of the day. Pickle really wanted Troy to win. She did not want to teach him how to use a cash register. They filled the boat. But was it enough.
Jacob teamed up with Little Willie Edwards. Their first big gator fought hard. It measured 9 feet. Not good enough. Willie worried when he heard gunshots nearby. He knew Troy was catching something big. Their treble hooks helped. One rope even snapped and nearly cost Willie a finger. Later, they ran out of treble hooks completely. They had to rely on lines alone. Jacob even suspected Troy messed with his lines. Troy denied it. In the end, Jacob and Willie landed an 11-footer too.
Back at the store, the results were in. Jacob won by about 2 inches. A deal is a deal. Troy put on the uniform and tried working the register. It did not go smoothly. Jacob’s wife wondered if the bet was worth it. Troy might want to stick to hunting gators.
Elsewhere, Bruce Mitchell and Anna Ribbeck stepped in to help locals. A massive gator was stopping kids from swimming. They were told it could be 10 to 12 feet long. Their first catches were smaller and injured. That was a clue. Something bigger was nearby. Eventually, they found it. A 12-footer. Once it was caught, the area felt safe again.
Joey Edgar and his daughter Kallie faced chaos on the water. Just as they were setting up, their boat caught fire. Gas fumes caused engine trouble. They put the fire out fast. Joey called for another boat to stay safe. The delay hurt their progress. Still, they pushed hard and ended strong with several solid gators.
Daniel Edgar and Zak Catchem had a risky mission. Daniel collects gator eggs to survive the off season. Low water brought aggressive male gators into nesting areas. These males destroy eggs. Daniel wanted to remove the males and protect the females. Zak was nervous. Determining a gator’s gender on the boat is dangerous. Daniel did not hesitate. They caught several massive males, including a 12-footer. Both men made it out safely.
Swamp People airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on the History Channel.
