Troy Landry and Pickle Wheat Push Through Mud, Traps, and Drought in Swamp People S15 E5: “Come Hell or Low Water”

In Swamp People Season 15, Episode 5, titled “Come Hell or Low Water,” which aired on February 1, 2024, a relentless drought and record-breaking temperatures force hunters into extreme territory as they try to salvage what’s left of the season. With water levels at their lowest point in decades, some of the swamp’s best hunting spots are nearly impossible to reach—unless you take big risks.

This episode continues the brutal conditions established in previous installments. After facing a historic heatwave in Episode 3 (“Hot as Hell”) and competing for shaded territory in Episode 4 (“Cypress Clash”), the hunters now battle evaporating water levels and mechanical setbacks as they scramble to fill remaining tags.

Troy Landry and Pickle Wheat Brave the Mud Flats

Troy Landry and Pickle Wheat return to a notoriously shallow and treacherous area known as the Mud Flats. They have 14 tags to fill, but getting in and out is a challenge even in wet seasons. Now, with drought conditions, the area becomes nearly impassable.

“This year the Mud Flats are going to be terrible… it’s going to eat our lunch,” Troy warns.

Navigating past stumps and sandbars, they manage to pull in a massive gator early in the day, a morale boost in harsh conditions. Still, progress is painfully slow. With each catch, their motor kicks up mud and slime, and the risk of mechanical failure increases.

“We’re catching good—but the engine keeps overheating,” Troy explains, frustrated by the tradeoff.

Their luck turns for the worse when their motor snags on a crab trap submerged beneath the low water. The tangle costs them 45 minutes and damages a fellow fisherman’s gear, adding tension and guilt to an already difficult day.

Mechanical Troubles and Moral Dilemmas

The crab trap incident is more than an inconvenience—it underscores just how difficult it is to operate in these conditions. With the water this low, Troy explains, normally submerged fishing equipment becomes dangerous obstacles. The propeller is at risk every minute, and they can’t afford to lose their only means of navigating out of the flats.

Despite the setbacks, the pair continue running their lines and are rewarded with an 11-foot alligator. The victory is tempered by exhaustion and mounting frustration.

“Just caught a nice alligator… but I got enough of this area,” Troy says, calling it quits on the Mud Flats.

Their decision to abandon the location and search for deeper waters highlights the episode’s central message: no amount of skill or grit can overcome a swamp that’s drying up under their feet.

Bruce Mitchell and Others Take on the Shallows

To deal with impassable terrain, Troy enlists veteran hunter Bruce Mitchell. Bruce’s boat and shallow-draft motor are designed for sloughs that others can’t access, but even he runs into trouble. A massive natural roadblock halts his progress, underscoring that even experience and equipment don’t guarantee success in a season like this.

Meanwhile, Willie Edwards and Little Willie launch into their favorite hotspot, The Flats. They fill the boat with giant gators—but the weight and shallow exit path cause motor strain that might trap them there.

Joey and Zak’s Airboat Gamble

Joey Edgar and Zak Catchem continue testing their new airboat in the most extreme way possible: an overland push into Froggy Bayou. While the vehicle gives them access to isolated territory, the maneuver places enormous stress on the engine. The risk of blowing it out threatens both their catch and their season.

Jacob and Don Face a Cannibal Gator

Jacob Landry and Don Brewer bet on deep water bayous, banking on the theory that gators will cluster where water still runs cool. But what they encounter instead is a curveball: a massive, aggressive cannibal gator that throws off their entire rhythm.

Desperation Breeds Innovation—And Tension

From mechanical failures to territorial overlap and ethical challenges, Episode 5 underscores that this season has no room for error. Hunters are forced to improvise, hustle, and adapt every hour they’re on the water.

For Troy and Pickle, the takeaway is clear: sometimes you win by walking away before it costs too much.