Welcome to "The Spotted Tail". We're opening our family's camp to your family! Relax waterside. Experience why Louisiana is known as Sportman’s Paradise. Built with 1940’s craftsmanship & charm, The Spotted Tail is the oldest camp on Calcasieu Lake (Big Lake) and recently updated with today’s comforts. It's located within sight of the boat launch at Hebert's Landing and is true Waterfront! The main lake is only steps from the back door. Come enjoy your catch of the day and a camp fire right next to the water or just relax in the hammock under the patio cover.
Need more room for your group? Bring your camper! Ask about the space before booking.
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Amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
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Strictly: DO NOT fry fish indoors in the kitchen. Use a propane burner or an electric fryer outside.
DO NOT place any seafood or fish parts or bait in trash bins. Please allow others to enjoy the fresh air without the smell of death.(weekly trash run)
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
About the area
Lake Charles
Located in Lake Charles, this holiday home is on the waterfront. Petro Bowl and Nancy Hank Tennis Center are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Southland Coins and Prien Lake Park. Children's Museum Lake Charles and Sulphur Parks & Recreation are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Lauberge Casino Lake Charles - 46 min drive - 39.9 km
Getting around
Lake Charles Station - 37 min drive
Lake Charles, LA (LCH-Lake Charles Regional) - 25 min drive
Restaurants
Subway-GL - 15 min drive
Subway - 12 min drive
Capt Rons Charter Service - 71 min drive
Bucks and Ducks - 63 min drive
Cocahoe's
Frequently asked questions
Is Lakefront - Real Fish Camp - Reel Fishermen pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
What time is check-in at Lakefront - Real Fish Camp - Reel Fishermen?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Lakefront - Real Fish Camp - Reel Fishermen?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Lakefront - Real Fish Camp - Reel Fishermen located?
Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is 0.3 mi (0.5 km) from Calcasieu Lake and within 20 miles (32 km) of Golden Nugget and Burton Coliseum. Lake Charles Memorial Hospital for Women and Archer Institute of LCMH are also within 20 miles (32 km).
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
The house was very well stocked and the listing was extremely accurate. The house was within a short walk of the boat launch and right by a really nice fishing pier. I loved how the house was decorated and the owners were extremely kind and responsive.
Really enjoyed our stay at the spotted tail, good location, evening sea breeze while watching the sunset was spectacular, we enjoyed sailing, fishing and the authentic cajun restaurants
Great property and excellent hosts. The Big Lake area is a convenient place for me to meet up with family and fish. We are a small group, but this property could accommodate a much larger group with plenty of common area to socialize
I loved everything about our stay here. From the great communication with the hosts, to the location, the gorgeous sunsets and the amenities - this place had it all. We didn't have kids with us this time, but would highly recommend to anyone who does. Gorgeous home, thank you for sharing it with us!
All was great, everyone enjoyed their time at the Spotted Tail. It was perfect for what were trying to accomplish. Relax and enjoy the water front views. Would recommend
Great location ! Very informative host with a very cool house as close as you can get to the water. Boat ramp is 300 yards away. Great place to get away. Theres a hammock overlooking Big Lake with your name on it! Highly recommend staying here !
This property was a perfect destination for my friend and I to take a break from the stress of life. The house was so charmingly decorated and looked exactly like the pictures online. Sitting under the covered porch in the back was so quiet and peaceful as we enjoyed the awesome view of the lake. The owners were wonderful to work with as well. We will definitely keep this property on our favorites list and hope to go back sometime.
Our trip was a mother and daughter get away! 1 mother and 3 daughters we are from Louisiana and one of my sisters has a camp but it’s only accessible by boat and well we all know how men are about their toys!! Lol! Everything that the host has said about this camp is absolutely the truth and then some!! It was by far one of our best trips! The host are amazing in every way you could think of! I don’t think 5 stars is enough for this one!!
If you’re looking for peace and quiet, this is the spot! The house is so cozy and comfortable, it’s the perfect house for a lake getaway. We came here to fish and just disconnect from home. Everything you can think of is here. The fishing pier is awesome and even has a covered section if it’s raining. Beds are comfy. I slept like a baby. We didn’t bring our kids on this trip, but the upstairs bedroom is perfect for the kiddos with a tv and games. The outdoor patio is awesome with an expansive view of the lake. It’s so relaxing just sitting on the patio overlooking the lake and watching the pelicans. The sunsets are spectacular. Love that we’re still close to town if we want to eat out or shop, and the local Dollar General is close by for basic necessities. T-Boys Grill is a must for classic Cajun and southern comfort food!
Kitchen table permanently sticky. BBQ was dirty, broken down (the grating was full of holes) and very difficult to use, and the BBQ area was dimly lit. The beds were very uncomfortable (for us) and the plastic covers on the mattresses made them hot and sweaty. The separate fan controls controlled BOTH the upstairs and downstairs bedrooms simultaneously , which made it impossible to adjust each bedroom separately. The double beds only makes it harder for "larger" couples. The ice maker did not function properly. The upstairs TV did not seem to get antennae reception. The fishing was poor but not anyone's fault. Overall, it was more "grungy" than "rustic". The fishing/unloading cart was much appreciated, but the tires were flat (so I pumped them up). The hosts are great however. We realize it is an old fishing camp and not a spa, but with a few basic fixes and tidying up it would be a lot more comfortable while maintaining the rustic charm.
Great location right on the water. Great outdoor area. Very well equipped kitchen. Very clean. Easy communication with owners. Comfortable seating areas and game tables. Will return!
Wonderful property. The hosts did an excellent job communicating all instructions and answering any questions. Very spacious, clean and comfortable house. We will be staying here again in the future.
I absolutely loved staying at the Spotted Tail. My extended family and I (9 of us) stayed here for a 3-night stay over a long weekend. The view alone was worth every penny of this stay, but there was so much more. We enjoyed morning coffee and evening cocktails on the patio watching the water. The kids couldn't stay off the pier and were fishing constantly. The house had plenty of room for all of us. The downstairs had room for us to do different hobbies: watch tv, read, arts & crafts, and play cards. We loved the whole home sound system! We played our music while we visited and cooked dinner each night. The kitchen was well equipped and had all the necessities. Usually we bring our own Keuring on trips, but we didn't need to this time. We explored Lake Charles and Sulphur while we were in town and had a great time. This house was close to the DG market and several gas stations so we could easily run out to pick up anything we needed. The only thing that wasn't perfect was the bathroom situation. Both bathrooms were inside the bedrooms, so it made it hard if you were staying in the loft (room with 3 beds) and needed to use the bathroom while anyone was sleeping in the bedrooms. It's an old house, though, and I would not hold that against the owners at all. One small warning, the beds are full size (double). It was difficult to sleep two adults per bed, but we managed. We will all cherish the memories we had of this house. It was a terrific weekend.
Amazing property to stay at. The owner was very responsive to any questions that I had from the time I booked and through the stay. Property was just as described and well furnished with dishes, games, cookware. We had a blast on the community dock that is literally out the back door of the property and caught some fish, shrimp, and crabs.
We had an incredible stay at this property! The house was very spacious, with tons of space for everyone to spread out and relax. Great being directly on the water.The hosts were absolutely wonderful – responsive and friendly. We couldn’t have asked for a better place to stay and will definitely return. Highly recommend!
Patio area needed attention , we swept cleaned up , the beds upstairs were not comfortable so we only spent one night there . Maybe adding crates on beds would help . The camp was fully equipped to meet all of our needs … the location is beautiful being on the directly on the water Thanks for sharing camp !0 SV
I kept trying to find that one word that describes the feeling when I walked into and around the property and it was...Nostalgic. This home was most certainly nostalgic with a modern twist. I felt as though I was fishing with my grandfather while being surrounded by his old workshop. Tears of sweet memories escaped my eyes as I sat and watched the sunset on this beautiful property. My husband enjoyed the literature that was perfectly placed throughout the house. David and Crystal thought of everything when they set this place up. You don't need to come with anything but your fishing gear and a body ready to relax. If you don't catch your dinner right up the road is more fun, food and games at the Golden Nugget Casino. I will most certainly be BACK!
Awesome place for family time. David and Crystal were excellent in communication and very accommodating extra items provided were a pleasant feature. Could not have asked for anything better. No one wanted to depart. Poker table was a great addition. Fishing provided enough for a fish fry. Great times for all
Our son was playing baseball in Lake Charles this week so the team all rented cabins near by. Best idea ever! This place was perfect to return home to. Clean! 10/10 On the water for 24/7 access to fish! Light on the pier for late night fishing was a perk I didn’t know my kids needed. We will be back!
Lindsay C.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024
About the host
Hosted by David
Hello! My name is David and my wife is Crystal. She has lived in Lake Charles her entire life and has been heavily involved in the community so she is your “go to” with questions about places, events, people, etc… I am a transplant from Texas since 2004. I definitely call Louisiana home as well. Do you have any questions about why we’re called “Sportsman’s Paradise?” Come at me bro! Heck, if I’m free I’ll take you fishing with me during your stay.
We have a large blended family and our world revolves around family life. We absolutely love traveling with VRBO ourselves because it allows the flexibility to travel affordably as a family in the comfortability of a home.
Feel free to book with us instantly or reach out if you have any questions or want to chat about anything in the Lake Charles area.
Why they chose this property
The neighborhood has a "retirement" like feel to it. You will see the occasional golf cart cruising the quiet streets. Fisherman launch only a few hundred yards away from the camp at the nearby marina.
What makes this property unique
The camp itself is a bit of a legend in the area. 1940's craftsmanship. There are even newspaper articles of a married couple breaking into the camp to ride out hurricane Audrey when they got trapped in the area as it made landfall in the '50s! Such a cool camp! Story has it that the camp has withstood so many major hurricanes because it was built by a mason who laid bricks and rebar for Angola prison. This original structure was built with the same fortress like craftsmanship.
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests