Troy Landry and Pickle Wheat Take a Risk That Pays Off at the Sugar Mill | Swamp People S16 E2

In Swamp People Season 16, Episode 2, titled “Snapping Back,” which aired on January 9, 2025, Troy Landry and Pickle Wheat capitalize on a break in the storm cycle to hunt a lesser-known location near a sugarcane plantation. With the threat of hurricanes looming, they bet on a hunch that turns into one of their most successful outings.

A Gamble at the Sugar Mill Canal

Clear skies offer a rare chance to explore new territory, and Troy leads Pickle to a sugar mill drainage system surrounded by thousands of acres of cane fields. It’s a place where his family once ran a crawfish business—and where vibrations from nearby pumps may be attracting territorial male gators.

“With the prediction of the bad storms they giving for this year… maybe the sugar mill area is gonna pay off,” Troy explains.

The team uses a smaller, more maneuverable gator-tail boat to navigate the shallow, narrow waters inaccessible to Troy’s larger rig. It’s a strategy driven by urgency: with hurricane season ramping up, there’s no time to waste.

Early Signs and First Catch

Their first few lines quickly yield results. Although a seven-footer isn’t the giant Troy was hoping for, it confirms the presence of alligators in the area.

Pickle says, “I think it’s gonna be a good day. When you start in a new place, first you gotta catch the little ones so we can start catching big alligators.”

The crew intensifies their efforts—running more lines than usual in hopes of tagging out the canal in a single day.

Close Calls and Big Gators

As the day unfolds, Troy and Pickle wrestle several large gators from the water. One nine-footer proves too heavy to drag and has to be rolled aboard the boat. Later, a massive gator breaks a branch and nearly rips the line from Pickle’s hands.

“Don’t let go, whatever you do,” Troy warns, as Pickle holds firm.

Their teamwork shines as they secure one powerful gator after another—each more aggressive than the last. Multiple big males are caught within a short five-mile stretch, an unusually high concentration for a manmade drainage area.

“They got more big gators back here than I thought,” Troy remarks. “This place is infested with big alligators.” Pickle adds, “This is outrageous right here.”

Mission Accomplished

By day’s end, the team has filled the boat with mature, heavy gators—including an 11-footer that takes all their strength to haul in.

“I’m glad we came. We filled up the boat, and they’re bigger than I expected. So it was a win-win for everybody,” Troy concludes.

Their decision to hunt the sugar mill canal not only paid off, but also helped reduce the risk to locals and mill workers, who had been reporting dangerous gator activity near their levees and cabins.

Also Read: Troy Landry and Pickle Wheat Tackle Giant Gators at Fausse Pointe