Troy Landry and Pickle Wheat Dominate Early in the Gator War: Swamp People S14, E1

Swamp People kicks off its fourteenth season with a bold twist that transforms the hunt into a full-blown competition. Premiering on January 5, 2023, the show introduces the high-pressure Gator War, a season-long battle in which hunters not only aim to fill their own tags but also compete for an additional 350 bonus tags awarded to top performers. This new format intensifies the traditional challenge, pushing each team to blend swamp wisdom with sharp strategy. Episode 1 sets a competitive tone from the start, featuring multiple crews as they launch their campaigns across the bayou—among them, Troy Landry and Pickle Wheat, who open with an intense, tag-heavy strategy on Lake Verret.

120 Lines, 600 Tags, and No Room for Error

Launching into Lake Verret at dawn, Troy and Pickle set an ambitious 120 lines. With over 600 tags to fill, their strategy is simple but ruthless: go big, or fall behind. “I’m pumped up, I’m excited,” Troy declares. “We’re coming out the gate strong.”

Soon, they chase a promising bubble trail—a gamble Troy wouldn’t normally take so early. But this season is different. They’re after giants, and instincts pay off. The boat jolts as Troy grips the line: a massive 11.5-foot alligator surfaces. The winch groans under the load, but it holds.

“This ain’t no baby,” Troy says as the beast slams onto the deck.

A second 11-footer follows. Then, near the end of the line run, chaos erupts again. Another line bends hard. Pickle yells for the gun. “It’s a big one!” Troy shouts. The final prize? A 12-foot swamp beast that cements their lead and sets the tone.

Smarter, Not Harder: The Winch Makes the Difference

This year, Troy’s strategy includes smarter equipment. The addition of a winch to the boat—installed just in case of giants—is a game-changer. In previous seasons, manhandling these monsters cost them time and energy. Now? They lift with ease.

“Basically, we’re hunting smarter, not harder.” – Troy

These three monster gators raise their average and morale. “We think we could conquer the world right now,” Troy beams.

Other Hunters, Other Plans

While Troy and Pickle dominate the action, other teams make moves across the bayou. Willie and Little Willie refuse to settle for small gators, choosing to chase only monsters. Ashley Deadeye Jones rises to captain her own boat for the first time. Ronnie Adams targets Troy’s crown, and Leron and Porkchop gamble on their treble hook technique.

These efforts, though briefly shown in this episode, preview the season’s brewing rivalries and varying strategies.