Old Bridge, NJ Shore Fishing

OLD BRIDGE — Fabio Dos Santos sat on the sandy shoreline in the northern corner of Old Bridge Waterfront Park Monday, surrounded by family and friends. While two fishing poles sat propped up in front of the 31-year-old Perth Amboy resident and the crew, the only thing they were catching were some Labor Day rays. But Dos Santos didn't seem to mind. He said they were having a good time on Raritan Bay, where they had the freedom to spread out as much as they wanted — something they said they wouldn't have at more popular Shore destinations. "We live close to here," said Dos Santos, who comes to the beach every other week. "It's always like this, not too crowded."

While most people opted for points farther south, Old Bridge Waterfront Park yesterday attracted a loyal following of sun worshippers and swimmers seeking to escape long drives to crowded shorelines. "I actually used to go to Sandy Hook, but gas is so expensive," said Edison resident Nellie Kanjo, as she sat on the beach with a magazine in her hand. "If you want to come and get some quick rays, it does the job." The 24-year-old Rutgers University graduate student said she doesn't have to contend with traffic to get here and, generally, feels more at ease.

It's quiet, isolated, it's unknown, and it's free. Near Morgan Bridge, where Cheesequake Creek empties into the bay, fishermen dotted the water's edge. Kids kicked soccer balls in the sand while adults sunbathed and listened to the distant drone of personal watercraft . Juan Valentin, 52, of Elizabeth, said this strip of county waterfront has come a long way. "

This beach was dirty before, but they fixed it up," Valentin said. "They used to have flies as big as bees. The water is cleaner." said Valentin and his wife, Sonia, said coming to Old Bridge does save them money on gas, but that isn't the reason they usually spend time here. "If gas was cheaper, I'd come here anyway because they fixed it up," he said, fishing pole at his feet.[org pub Asbury Park Press BY JOHN MAJESKI]