Troy Landry’s Double Shift Strategy Pays Off as Heat, Low Water, and Mistakes Push Hunters to the Edge| Swamp People S15 E2

In Swamp People Season 15, Episode 2, titled “Double Trouble,” which aired on January 11, 2024, the swamp throws new challenges at the hunters. With scorching heat and dangerously low water levels threatening the season, Troy Landry turns to an intense new strategy: running a double shift.

A Grueling Double Shift and Other High-Stakes Hunts

With over 800 tags still to fill, Troy and Pickle begin their first hunt at the break of dawn on Lake Verret. Knowing the heat could spoil their catch, they ice down each gator as soon as it’s pulled in. The goal is simple—catch as much as possible before the midday sun becomes dangerous.

“The weather’s been hotter than normal, and the water’s been hotter than normal,” Troy explains. “It’s very important to get these first ones… on ice as soon as possible.”

After icing their morning haul, the duo returns to shore, then quickly sets out again for an evening shift to run another 75 lines. It’s a high-stakes move—and one that comes with risk.

The Pressure Builds

Despite catching solid gators early on, the team knows that every hour counts. The extreme heat accelerates decomposition, and a delay in returning their first catch costs them valuable time.

“We just lost a couple hours by going and bringing these gators in,” Troy admits. “But we got more tags than ever, and I think it’s more important than ever to fill them.”

As they press on, more challenges arise. Lines are tangled, gators are dying before they can be recovered, and the water is so low that slime coats even those caught in open lake.

“We’re starting to notice that we’re catching a lot of alligators that are dead,” Troy says, as the team begins to see the toll the extreme heat is taking on the hunt.

A Massive Reward

Then comes a turning point. Troy and Pickle hook something massive—a 12-foot alligator that puts up a fight like no other. With teamwork and muscle, they finally winch the beast into the boat.

“This is the biggest thing I ever seen,” Troy gasps. “Thing got a head like Moby Dick.”

The size of the gator validates their grueling two-part day. Had they waited, their boat might have been too full to haul the monster back.

A Sweet but Tired Finish

As the sun sets, Troy surprises Pickle with a lollipop—his humorous reward for a hard-earned win. But the gesture is bittersweet.

“He gives me this lollipop after a day of two shifts… tastes like ice cream with a hint of alligator blood,” Pickle jokes.

“I think she wanted a day off instead,” Troy quips.

While there’s no day off in sight, the results speak for themselves. The double shift was brutal—but necessary. Meanwhile, across the swamp, other hunters were also pushing limits. Joey Edgar tested his father’s airboat with Zak to reach deep water holes, while Daniel Edgar defied his age and put everything on the line to catch the family’s biggest gator yet. Ashley Jones and Anna encountered a major setback—forgetting their rifle bullets—and resorted to a five-shot pistol and Anna’s bow to fill their boat. In this unforgiving season, adapting quickly isn’t just smart—it’s survival.