Ep 2. Hot Spots

In the second episode of Mudcats season 1, titled "Hot Spots," the team continues their search for the biggest and baddest catfish in America's waterways. This week, the Mudcats head to the Mississippi River Delta in Louisiana, where they've heard rumors of massive catfish lurking in the murky waters.

The team splits up into two boats, with team captain Marion Kincaid leading one group and his right-hand man Brian "Pig Man" Quaca leading the other. Marion's boat heads downriver to a spot where he's had success in the past, while Pig Man's boat heads upriver to explore some new territory.

As they travel, the Mudcats discuss their various fishing strategies and tactics. Pig Man is particularly excited to try out a new "sinker slide" rig that he's been working on, which he believes will help him catch bigger fish than Marion's traditional bait and hook setup.

When they arrive at their respective "hot spots," Marion and Pig Man quickly get to work. Marion's strategy is to anchor the boat in a likely area and wait for the catfish to come to him. Pig Man, on the other hand, is more mobile, trolling the river with his new rig in search of fish.

As they fish, the Mudcats encounter a variety of challenges. Marion's anchor drags in the strong current, forcing him to move several times. Pig Man's rig proves to be unwieldy, and he struggles to keep it in the right position. And throughout the day, the team battles swarms of hungry mosquitoes and blistering heat.

Despite the obstacles, the Mudcats do manage to catch a few fish. Marion brings in a sizable blue catfish weighing in at over 30 pounds, while Pig Man hooks an impressive flathead catfish that puts up a ferocious fight.

But the real highlight of the episode comes later in the day, when Pig Man's boat comes across a school of giant catfish feeding in the shallows. Pig Man quickly reels in his lines and jumps into the water, wielding a metal hook on a long pole known as a "gig."

With Marion and the rest of the Mudcats cheering him on from the boat, Pig Man wades into the water and, using his gig, manages to hook a massive catfish weighing over 60 pounds. The excitement is palpable as the team pulls the fish onto the boat, and Pig Man revels in his victory.

As the day winds down, the Mudcats head back to shore, exhausted but elated. They may not have caught as many fish as they hoped, but they've proven once again that they have what it takes to tackle the toughest and wildest parts of America's waterways.