The essential episodes of Swamp People
Watch these 15 in order and you've got Swamp People — each pick states its reason.
- 01
Welcome to one of America's last frontiers: the wild swamplands of Southern Louisiana, a place whose history stretches back to the 17th century. It's the start of the most exciting--and dangerous--time of year for the swampers, the month-long alligator season. During this 30 day window, swampers make most of their annual income culling gators. Troy Landry, a Cajun whose family goes back three generations is on a mission to hunt down his own personal "white whale," the notorious Big Head, a monster gator he's been after for years. This season, Big Head is threatening the bayou's swimming holes, and must be stopped at all costs. In this episode, we also meet master hunter Junior Edwards and his older son, Willie, as they make their special weapons, specially designed hooks. Another father and son team Trapper Joe L'enfant and his stepson Tommy, also hit the marshlands, where careless Tommy puts his life at risk.
- 02
In Southern Louisiana the Gator Gold Rush is in full swing. Buyers are paying top dollar for alligators, and Troy has a plan to get his share. He's taking a special boat called a "Gator Tail" to an old family honey hole. But when he encounters an unexpected obstacle, he risks it all to fill his boat. Junior Edwards and his son Willy are stalking an elusive beast known for his distinctive roar they call Leo The Lion. But Leo is a formidable adversary and it comes down to Leo, Willy and a pocketknife. Down at Pecan Island, Liz and her partner Kristie are taking a calculated risk of their own, hunting the canals from land to capture a monster that has been terrorizing the local population. R.J. and Jay Paul spy outsiders setting lines directly across from theirs, a direct violation of the code of the swamp. Things escalate quickly and the two-time world arm wrestling champion and his son don't hesitate to take matters into their own hands.
- 03
Swampers fight massive alligators and Mother Nature attempting to win "The Bounty on the Bayou". One hunter heads deep into the swamp to catch a legendary reptile. Another hunter empowers his younger deckhand by letting him fight his first line ever, while another seeks out advice from his mother in hopes of catching a bounty winning gator.
- 04
When boat traffic makes it impossible to run lines, hunters must adjust tactics and abandon plans in order to fill their tags. One team returns after a two-year hiatus and decides to hunt a remote area that forces them to cross the dangerous shipping lanes of the mighty Mississippi River. Another team avoids bounty hunters and boat traffic by travelling to a new and remote area called Boudreaux's Run, while another team hunts a waterway riddled with swells from tugboats and barges.
- 05
Hunters are forced to rely on life-long intuitions to take on Mother Nature. To avoid floodwaters, one team makes a life threatening decision to head deep into the swamp. Another team is forced to open water hunt after their territory is choked off by unexplainable swamp grass, while another hunter goes after a rogue gator that is threatening his children's lives. While running lines, Troy finds several hooks with the bait twisted off of them. He realizes that this is the work of a gator he calls "Twister" that he and his brother have been after for years.
- 06
Rising water levels cause big gators to head into newly flooded areas seeking prey. One team heads into a dangerous canal only accessible by canoe in hopes of catching a bounty winning gator. Another team is forced to use an ancient swamp technique called a "Swamp Cooler" to keep their boat from running aground, while another team ventures down a hidden passageway to access one of their toughest hunting spots.
- 07
One team goes after a brash, one-eyed gator they have been after for years. Another hunter is forced to hunt alone and engages an aggressive bull gator that has been tripping his lines and bending his hooks, while another team has to hunt down a greedy gator that keeps stealing the bait off their lines.
- 08
After a rocky start, Chase tries to redeem himself and get back into dad's good graces. Daniel sets a catch quota for his family to hit to stay on track. Jay Paul and Tommy jump a levee to tap new territory. Will breaks down alone in the heat of the blazing sun.
- 09
Troy lays down a bet against Chase and Holden. Daniel's bragging wears Dwaine down. Gunner causes trouble for Bruce. Gee takes charge on Frenchy's boat.
- 10
Chase stalks the biggest gator he has ever seen; Daniel annoys Dwaine; Kristi clears gators off her homestead and Frenchy's day does not go as planned.
- 11
Mother Nature dishes up an unexpected disaster.
- 12
The swampers are faced with a gator invasion that's threatening their community like never before. Determined to protect their neighbors, Troy teams up with swamp legend Terrel Evans, Jacob enlists python expert Dusty Crum to join the hunt, and veteran swamper Ronnie Adams puts his new partner, Ashley "Dead-Eye" Jones to the test as they venture into a wild swamp known as "the cemetery".
- 13
As the season ramps up, Joey and Zak stake out game trails to nab deer-eating gators. After he's sabotaged by angry locals, Ronnie recruits Terral to help him get back into his prized honey hole. Troy tests the patience of a new deckhand. Daniel and Big Tee get creative with their bait.
- 14
With a major storm brewing, Liz risks it all to fill her boat with gators. Ronnie and Ashley brave the weather to turn a sea wall into a gator bonanza. Zak braves the elements and goes solo for the first time ever. Daniel shows Dorien how to outsmart mother nature.
- 15
Ronnie and Ashley follow an underwater pipeline looking for big gators and come across a gas leak that puts their lives in danger. Jacob and Don head for their favorite honey hole, only to find it blocked with trees that require an explosive solution. Then, when Pickle calls in sick, Troy's forced to hunt alone. Leron and Porkchop confront a menacing storm. Bruce hunts for a giant to fill his freezer.
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