Troy Landry and Pickle Wheat Take on Jaws—the Hook-Breaking Monster of Lake Verret | Swamp People S15 E13

Episode Title: Swamp Jaws | Season 15, Episode 13 | Air Date: April 4, 2024

As gator season enters the homestretch, multiple teams scramble to make every hunt count in a race against time. Troy Landry and Pickle Wheat focus on capturing a hook-breaking monster that’s wrecking their gear and taunting their experience. Meanwhile, Willie and Little Willie Edwards set an ambitious goal to turn their season around. Ashley Jones puts advice from the King of the Swamp into action as she targets a giant. Bruce Mitchell pushes hard on his final day in the swamp, and Leron and Porkchop try to eliminate a long-standing menace from a troublesome fishing hole.

A Familiar Territory, an Unfamiliar Threat

Troy and Pickle still have about 150 tags left out of the 900 they began with—an ambitious number with the clock ticking. They load up their gear and set out, focusing only on the biggest gators that Lake Verret is known for.

What they find is unmistakable: a torn-up boscoyo, the bait completely mangled. “Look at that boscoyo all tore up like that,” Pickle says, alarmed. Then she adds, “We got a crime committed for sure.” It’s a telltale sign of a massive predator.

The Monster That Straightened a Shark Hook

Moments later, Troy and Pickle lose a gator that manages to straighten a #3 shark hook—a hook type typically used for catching literal sharks. Troy explains the strength of the hook:

“That’s about five times stronger than an alligator hook.”

Pickle adds in disbelief:

“This alligator straightened out a shark hook.”
The beast is officially nicknamed “Jaws”, a nod to its monstrous strength and elusive nature.

Jaws strikes again—this time snapping the shark hook clean in half. Even seasoned gator hunters like Troy are left speechless.

“I’ve never seen a broken shark hook. Never,” Troy admits.

A New Strategy: The Double Hook Plan

Realizing they’re up against a legend, Troy devises a new plan:
two shark hooks instead of one, baited with double the chicken. The logic?

“He might straighten one, but he ain’t gonna straighten two.”

With the rig in place, they set out more lines and prepare to return later, hoping to finally catch the elusive monster.

The Showdown with Jaws

When they revisit the double hook line, everything is tight. The boat rocks. The water churns. Pickle braces herself, saying,

“I’m trying not to piss him off. Trying to do what you taught me.”

Suddenly, the beast surfaces—massive, thrashing, prehistoric in size.

“Looks like Moby Dick,” 
Troy adds,
“That’s Jaws, Peewee. That’s Jaws.”

They secure the giant gator, and after a tense fight, Jaws is finally on the boat—measuring a jaw-dropping 13 feet long, making it Troy and Pickle’s largest catch of the season.

A Victory Years in the Making

Troy reflects on the significance of their catch:

“This thing’s been giving us problems most probably for years… and we had no idea he was even here.”

Pickle can barely lift the beast, and the team erupts in celebration.

“He’s a horse,” Troy declares, laughing in triumph.