Troy Landry Pushes for a 20-Gator Day as Storms Close In | Swamp People S16 E1 Recap
In Swamp People Season 16, Episode 1, titled “Racing the Storm,” which aired on January 2, 2025, Troy Landry kicks off the season with a bold strategy: set a 20-gator quota on day one, knowing full well that storms could shut the season down at any moment. With new faces on his crew and a dire hurricane forecast, the pressure is on.
The Hurricane Season Warning
Troy opens the season by gathering his team in Pierre Part, Louisiana. The message is clear: meteorologists are predicting one of the most intense hurricane seasons in recent memory. With Gulf waters warming and storm systems already forming, time is not on their side.
“They warning us ahead of time. They got storms brewing up all around us,” Troy tells his crew. “You better pay attention.”
Troy emphasizes the importance of a strong start. If power goes out, there’s no way to ice or preserve the gators. So he sets an aggressive quota: 20 alligators per team, per day.
Troy and Pickle Hustle in the Rain
In Grand Lake, Troy teams up with Pickle Wheat. Rain pours as they hit the water. With the 20-gator benchmark looming, they’re not just hunting—they’re racing.
“Come on, Peewee, we gotta hustle,” Troy urges. “We have to be clicking, we gotta be working together, working faster than ever.”
Despite storm clouds and slippery conditions, they land multiple big gators early in the day. Each successful catch lifts morale—but the quota still looms large.
Fighting the Weather and the Clock
Troy and Pickle press on as conditions worsen. Rain turns to thunder. Visibility drops. Yet the gators keep coming—some wrapped in vines, others dragging them deep into murky water.
Pickle says, “We gotta get alligators in this boat, and it better be 20. No less, because we set the quota.”
Pickle, now used to Troy’s high expectations, jokes about the pressure—but keeps pace like a pro. Together, they wrestle in a few final giants.
“Tree shaker! I’m pumped up,” Troy exclaims as they close in on their last catch.
Quota Achieved—Just in Time
With minutes to spare, Troy and Pickle land their biggest gator of the day—an 11-footer—and hit the quota of 20 gators.
“I didn’t think we was gonna catch our 20 for a while,” Troy admits. “But luckily the last half of our lines did really good.”
Their haul proves the value of starting strong. If the storm shuts them down tomorrow, at least they know they made the first day count.
This episode sets the tone for Season 16: no room for error, no days off. Just hustle, heart, and a race against the wrath of nature.
Also Read: Troy Landry and Pickle Wheat Take a Risk That Pays Off at the Sugar Mill | Swamp People S16 E2