Troy Landry and Pickle Wheat Defend Their Honey Hole as Cypress Swamps Heat Up the Competition: Swamp People S15 E4

In Swamp People Season 15, Episode 4, titled “Cypress Clash,” which aired on January 25, 2024, rising temperatures and shifting swamp dynamics force the hunters to rethink their strategies. With 600 tags left to fill, Troy Landry and Pickle Wheat find success in deep, cool waters—but the peace doesn’t last long.

This episode follows directly from the record-setting heatwave depicted in Episode 3 (“Hot as Hell”), where the swamp endured a heat index of 126 degrees. That extreme weather continues to shape the hunters’ tactics, pushing them deeper into shaded zones in search of cool water and fresh catches.

Troy and Pickle Under Pressure

After enduring three straight days of record-breaking heat, Troy and Pickle remain determined. Their early morning efforts lead them to a hidden honey hole filled with clean, cold-water gators. It’s a crucial discovery in a season where spoiled meat is an ever-present risk.

“He’s clean and cool. He’s not hot. No slime at all on him,” Troy observes, impressed by their deep-water find.

However, the success draws unexpected competition. Ronnie Adams and Timmy Aucoin move in on the same location, raising tensions.

“He got so much land in Chalmette. Why they feel they gotta come over here, I have no idea,” Troy says, frustrated.

Despite the pressure, Troy and Pickle haul in a series of massive gators—including one so large it requires a winch to lift. As the narrator describes, an 11-foot “dinosaur” gator becomes the highlight of their day.

Ronnie and Timmy Crowd the Swamp

Ronnie Adams, usually dominant in the marshes, shifts into the shaded cypress territory to escape the relentless heat. His arrival alongside Timmy Aucoin sends a clear signal: even seasoned hunters are being forced to adapt.

Their sudden proximity to Troy’s lines causes friction and raises questions of fair play. In Pickle’s words:

“I feel like we’re all packed in here like sardines as it is. How can we even have one more fisherman in this same area?”

Daniel Edgar, Ashley Jones, and Willie Edwards Innovate

Elsewhere, Daniel Edgar experiments with pheromone-soaked bait in a bid to attract massive bull gators. Meanwhile, Ashley Jones gambles on access to new territory behind a locked gate, hoping the risk pays off in gator count.

In another corner of the swamp, Willie Edwards pushes the pace, sniping gators quickly to keep them fresh. However, his son challenges his grip on the rifle, insisting it’s his turn to take the shot.

Cypress Skirmishes and Strategic Tensions

With everyone adapting and boundaries blurring, the cypress swamps have become a battleground—not just against nature, but among the hunters themselves. Troy’s impressive catch sends a clear message: this is still his territory, and he won’t be outworked.

As the race to fill tags accelerates, one thing is certain—success this season won’t go to the strongest or the most experienced. It’ll go to those who adapt the fastest.