Swamp People: Turbulent Race Against Hurricane Season (Season 16)

Troy Landry’s Bold Gamble Pays Off with Big Gators in the Sugarcane Fields

With hurricane season looming, Swamp People star Troy Landry is taking advantage of a rare opportunity to hunt in a location few other hunters would consider: a sugarcane plantation. The clear skies offer a brief window before the storms roll in, and Troy, alongside his longtime hunting partner Pickle Wheat, is betting that this gamble will pay off. The area, with its manmade canals and large sugarcane fields, is not a typical gator hotspot, but Troy’s instincts are guiding him toward a successful hunt.

A Unique Location with Potential

As they head out to the sugarcane fields, Troy explains the reasoning behind this unusual choice. “This is all a big sugarcane plantation, and they pump the water out of the fields after it rains,” he says, detailing the unique topography of the area. There is a drop in elevation from the highway to the back of the field, and with the pump creating vibrations, the alligators are drawn to the area.

“The big males get excited from the noise and vibration, and they come to the pumps,” Troy explains. He’s confident that with the storm season approaching, this area will be key in filling their tags quickly.

The First Catch: A Sign of Hope

Troy’s gamble starts to show promise when they snag a seven-foot gator. Although it’s not the giant he was hoping for, it’s a sign that the area does have alligators, and they’re on the right track.

“We got a lot of tags we need to fill,” Troy notes. “When you start in a new place, first you gotta catch the little ones and get them out of the way before we can start catching the big ones.” Despite the early catch being smaller than expected, the team remains hopeful as they push forward, setting more lines in anticipation of bigger gators.

A New Approach with the Gator-Tail Boat

To access the shallow waters near the sugarcane fields, Troy uses a new, smaller boat that offers more maneuverability. This gator-tail boat, which he describes as the “4-wheel drive of boats,” allows him to reach areas that would have been impossible with his larger boat. With this tool in hand, Troy and Pickle set out with renewed determination.

A Breakthrough with a Nine-Foot Gator

After a bit of work and some persistence, the team’s efforts finally pay off with a nine-foot alligator. This is a step in the right direction, and Troy is encouraged by the progress.

“We need to step up to the plate and fish it harder than we’ve been fishing it,” Troy says, emphasizing the need for even more focus. The team knows they’re in an area teeming with potential, but the challenge lies in uncovering the bigger gators.

Unexpected Giant: A Massive 11-Footer

Their hard work pays off when they catch a massive 11-foot alligator—exactly the kind of prize they were hoping for when Troy first decided to hunt in this unconventional location. The gator proves that Troy’s gamble was the right move, and they’re more than satisfied with the results.

“We’re catching really good, better than I expected,” Troy remarks as the team hauls the massive alligator into the boat. He credits the abundance of big gators in the area to the manmade drainage ditches that have become a hotspot for these predators.

Wrapping Up the Successful Day

The day concludes with several large gators filling their boat, and Troy reflects on their success. “I’m glad we came. We filled up the boat, and they’re bigger than I expected,” he says. The sugarcane field hunt turned out to be a win-win for both Troy and the sugar mill, as they’ve cleared the area of some massive alligators before the hurricane season hits.

As Troy and Pickle head back, they know they’ve made the most of this brief window of opportunity, and the gamble to hunt in the sugarcane fields paid off in a big way.

“The sugar mill’s gonna be happy, we’re happy,” Troy concludes. “Job well done.”