Vacation Rentals by Owner

Big Bay Fisherman

Guest: BigD (Austin, TX)
Date of Stay: 05/15/12 Review Submitted: 05/23/12

The house was very comfortable and my wife and I felt so at peace there watching the water and the birds. Fishing off the Huge private pier was good and the fish cleaning station outside was simple but was just what the doctor ordered. Wireless system allowed to to get a little work done too. Over all I highly recommend it! The restaurant 3 blocks away had a 3 lb baked flounder special that we had to finish at breakfast the next day. Wonderful!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Good fishing

Guest: Jim (Marble Falls, Texas)
Date of Stay: 04/18/12 Review Submitted: 04/25/12

It was a dual purpose trip for my wife and I, as she is a beach person, and I am an avid fisherman. The house was close enough to the beaches that a daily run (about 15 minutes) was very reasonable, and the location of the house, and the awesome piers made for some pretty good fishing. Like any other place on the coast, you are always somewhat at the mercy of the weather and the winds for fishing success, but when conditions are right, there is good fishing at the end of the long pier. In a five night stay, we caught 11 keeper reds (up to 27"), a dozen trout (largest was 23"), and 5 black drum, along with a ton of throw backs and trash fish. There is good crabbing off the short pier, and an excellent area to clean fish. The house was pretty much as represented. Comfortably sized rooms, good views, and everything you need is provided. The bath also had a good shower, with great water pressure, and plenty of hot water. I can't stand a weak shower. Spence was very helpful with tips to make the trip enjoyable. We have been back home now for two days, and getting the bayhouse style living out of your system, and back to the work grind has been difficult. We will be booking there again for later this summer. If you enjoy fishing, crabing, and a laid back coastal getaway, I highly recommend this unique place.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, sightseeing.

Awesome vacation

Guest: Patty (Andrews, Texas)
Date of Stay: 11/23/11 Review Submitted: 12/03/11

The Bayhouse was even more then we thought it would be. Big and spacious. Very clean and had everything we needed for our stay. The view from the frontporch was amazing. Was awesome setting on the frontporch watching the sunrise and all the birds. People in the area were very friendly. Its not that far from other places you might want to go see. Spence was great at answering any questions we had and told us alot about the area. He even called the first day to make sure we arrived safe and the house was to our liking. Would recommend for anyone who wants some time away. Even had a chance to watch some wind surfers playing in the bay.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

VERY NICE AND COMFORTABLE HOME

Guest: PRADOMARS (Nolanville)
Date of Stay: 10/13/11 Review Submitted: 01/11/12

I enjoyed my week long stay at this home. Peaceful scenery, nice and comfortable home. I wish it were my home; what more can I say? My only complain is that more attention to detail should be done by the housekeeper. I, personally, just expect more but overall it was good. Nice place. Thanks, again, for allowing me the time in this home!.. Blessed day!...

Owner response:I have changed housekeepers since then due to several comments such as Omar's.

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway.

Great time!

Guest: Susan (San Pedro, California)
Date of Stay: 04/17/11 Review Submitted: 04/28/11

We had a really great time at the Bayhouse. We come to Corpus Christi at least once a year to visit our parents. In the past, we have always stayed in hotels, but with a large family, it is expensive and not very satisfactory, because we have to eat out most meals, and can't get together unless crowded quietly into one room while the kids sleep. The kitchen at the bay house is well appointed and large. It was perfect for preparing meals, entertaining and visiting with our family. Spence is really helpful and easy to contact. His instructions and information were helpful and accurate. We needed a highchair for the baby. He found one, and it was waiting for us when we arrived. The house looks exactly like - or rather better- than the pictures. The view is wonderful and relaxing. We spent a lot of time just watching the birds out of the kitchen window. The pier is great. It was really nice to be able to walk out the door and go fishing. The house is close enough to everything in the area, but comfortable and nice enough to make you want to just stay home. It was so nice to stay in a place where we could do as we wanted during the day, come home have a family meal, put the kids to bed, and spend the evening playing games at the kitchen table. We had 6 adults and two children staying at the Bayhouse. It was plenty big enough. My sister and her husband stayed at the landing, which was really close to the bayhouse. They were comfortable there but close enough to walk to visit with us. We ate lunch at the fish restaurant at the landing. It was very good. Thanks Spence for the the use of your Bayhouse and the best (in 15 years) visit we have ever had to Corpus Christi.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A little slice of heaven in Texas

Guest: Left our hearts in Albuquerque (Minnesota and Michigan)
Date of Stay: 02/21/11 Review Submitted: 03/25/11

We couldnt have found a better place to spend some time getting out of the ice and snow of MN. and MI. The house was perfect, comfortable, clean, and, homey. The scenery was beyond belief-- we sat out in the yard and, watched Brown and White Pelicans, Roseate Spoonbills, White Ibis, Snowy Egrets, Herons, and, many other beautiful birds, up close and personal in the water My husband and brother in law fished from the 330 ft. pier, and, we ate fresh Speckled Trout, Black Drum, and, Redfish that they caught. We also took day trips, and, actually saw alligators, wild pigs, and, beautiful flowers at Aransas National Wildlife Center, and, South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center. All that, and, nice neighbors, too! Our three weeks went by much too quickly, and, we hope to repeat this fabulous vacation, next year at the same time. Thanks for sharing your little bit of paradise, Spence.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, sightseeing.

Laguna Madre Bayhouse

Guest: L & L (Kingston, ok.)
Date of Stay: 12/23/10 Review Submitted: 01/17/11

Our stay at the bayhouse was a Godsend. Was affordable for us. Can't afford those high priced places and do not care for fancy places. The Bayhouse was just right. Loved the layout and all the windows. The neighbor lady and her dogs were great. We missed our three 4-legged kids. The candles the cleaning ladies put on the table were a nice touch; especially since it was our anniversary. Spence is very nice to deal with and very gracious about answering questions. All his information is VERY helpful and the directions precise. The resteraunts he recommended were great. The people at the one just 2 blocks from Bayhouse were really nice. (Sorry the name escapes me at the moment). Our only regret is that the fishing was a big disappointment everywhere we went. So I'll end with a big THANK YOU for Laguana Madre Bayhouse. It was very relaxing and quiet which is what we needed; especially my husband who recently went through a year of cancer treatments and needed somewhere peaceful to retreat to. God's Blessings To You and again Thank You L & L

Owner response:The Laguna Madre is considered one of the best fisheries in the entire world. However, usually the months of December and January do not provide the best results as the water is at its coldest temperature in this shallow water bay. Like the renter stated, though, the view, the birding, the tranquility and my assistance are always there.

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway.

SP family vacation

Guest: Steve (Ft. Worth)
Date of Stay: 08/15/10 Review Submitted: 08/21/10

Our family decided to stay at Spence’s bay house for the following reasons: • Ability to relax on a private pier while watching the run rise above the bay. • Opportunity to listen to the natural sounds of the bay on a large front deck. • Going fishing morning, noon or evening. • Catching blue crab in shallow water. • Close proximity to Padre Island, Mustang Beach and Port Aransas. • Clean, comfortable, spacious and well stocked house. • Ability to have access to Wi-Fi is a plus from a business and teenager perspective. • The chance to watch cable TV allowed me to keep up with my favorite sports teams. • Large HEB grocery store nearby for anything picky eaters may want or need. • Bait shop within walking distance from bay house. • Friendly and respectful neighbors is always welcomed. • Marina nearby with fishing guides for hire. • Noted marina's watering hole is great for watching the boats come in from a long day of fishing. • In short, if you are looking for a change of pace from every day normal city life but need to take certain aspects of the city with you, then Spence’s bay house is for you and or your family.

Owner response:Another satisfied customer! This place is the best value in the Coastal Bend.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers

Review

Guest: MC (Pleasanton TX)
Date of Stay: 07/04/10 Review Submitted: 07/10/10

We had a great time having a pier all to ourselves was great. The house was just like home away from home, we had everything we needed.

Owner response:The 330 foot private fishing pier is one of many reasons to book you next vacation at Spence's Bayhouse.

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Guest: Kim Baker (Austin, Texas USA)
Date of Stay: 05/03/10 Review Submitted: 05/03/10

We just had a wonderful vacation at the house! It is the perfect size and location. The pier is amazing perfect for early morning and late night fishing! We caught more fish on the private 330' pier than through the channels. The house allows privacy due to location on the bay and spacious between bedrooms. The area around the house is private and quiet for a great book and sunbathing! After many travels to the coastal region - Laguna Madre Bay House is one of the best by far and I would recommend this to anyone who loves to fish, relax or just enjoy the coast!

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Guest: JR FANS (VIDOR TEXAS )
Date of Stay: 06/17/09 Review Submitted: 06/17/09

ME AND MY FAMILY HAD A WONDERFL TIME AT THE BAY HOUSE. IT WAS VERY RELAXING AND THE SUNSETS WERE BEAUTIFUL.THE HOUSE WAS A GREAT SIZE ALSO YOU DIDNT FEEL LIKE YOU WERE RUNNING OVER EACH OTHER. THE NEIGHBORS ARE ALL SO FRIENDLY.

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LAGUNA MADRE BAYHOUSE

Guest: JR FANS (VIDOR TEXAS )
Date of Stay: 06/07/09 Review Submitted: 06/17/09

the bayhouse was wonderful it was stocked with everything you could possibly need while on vacation. the veiws from the inside were wonderful. it was a great getaway.

Owner response:To my future renters, you, too, can enjoy the tremendous bayviews from the front bedroom, kitchen, and living room just as this renter did. Very peaceful place.

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Guest: Ruben T (Austin, TX)
Date of Stay: 05/15/09 Review Submitted: 05/15/09

My girlfriend and I had a wonderful weekend here. The house was clean and comfortable. It is stocked with anything you could possibly need, even a rice cooker. You get a great view of the sunrise while sitting on the front porch drinking coffee. The only thing that would have made the weekend better is if the fish would have been biting. I will definitely stay here again.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 06/01/08 Review Submitted: 06/15/08

We had a nice stay. The house is clean and comfortable, with a great view of the water. The wind was high all week and limited our fishing. We managed half limits of specks on several mornings. The only protected water was in Corpus Christi Bay at the mouth of Oso Bay. Look for slicks along the road running to the air station.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 06/01/08 Review Submitted: 06/01/08

just like to share the experenice i had at this wonderful home .It was relaxing,convintent to restraunts ,grocery stores and all the fishing spots I strongley recommend for anyone whom needs to get away a relax that beatiful sunset will just take you away along with the ocean view I try to get out there every year

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 06/01/08 Review Submitted: 06/01/08

Wow! What a great place to spend the weekend. My wife and I spent a weekend at your house last fall and loved it. We didn't do a whole lot and that was part of the plan. We just needed a place to spend a few hours away from the hustle and bustle of life. We liked being so close to the beach. We spent some time sun-bathing and relaxing down at the surf. I even managed to fish a little. We enjoyed the views of the Laguna Madre and the morning sunrise was spectacular. Thanks, again, for allowing us access to your home. We thoroughly enjoyed it.

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