ESPN Elite Series

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Though the Bassmaster Elite Series co-angler format may be going away, some of the best moments were saved for last — literally.

Its grand finale bid adieu to fans with a theatrical and historical bang, requiring overtime to determine the co-angler winner at this week's Champion's Choice Tournament presented by Ramada Worldwide on Oneida Lake.

For much of the co-angler weigh-in, Day Two leader Kyle Kempkers of Hamilton, Mich., sat in one of two hot seats to either side of BASS emcee Keith Alan.

That's right, there were two hot seats on stage, because Kempkers, with three bass weighing 4 pounds, 10 ounces, found himself in a tie with Plano, Ill., angler Jesse Simpkins, who weighed in three bass on Saturday at 5-11.

Their three-day totals added, Kempkers and Simpkins initially shared the hot seat with a final weight of 22-14 each.

David Paul of New London, Conn., who brought three bass tipping the scales at 9-01, apparently ended the dead-heat drama, unseating Kempkers and Simpkins with a three day total of 23-05.

"I got to fish with Bobby Lane today, and to finish this high at the last co-angler event ever, it's a blessing," Paul said.

With Lane working to help Paul land fish from Oneida's famous grass all day long, the Connecticut fisherman used a melon pepper Bass Pro Shops tube rigged Texas-style, with a 3/8-ounce weight to slug his way to the weigh-in stage's hot seat.

"I capitalized on every opportunity I had today," Paul said. "I didn't lose any big fish (and I hope I can stay where I am)."

Paul initially weathered the storm brought to the stage by Mishawaka, Ind., angler Teddy Bradley, who spent the day fishing with newly-crowned Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam.

Bradley brought three bass to the scales weighing 8-01, for a three day total of 23-02, falling just short of Paul's weight.

"He (VanDam) wanted to stay around fish, to make sure that I had a shot," Bradley said. "It was great fishing with him, and I could tell that he was at ease after winning Angler of the Year."

When Bradley asked VanDam for tips, the king of bass fishing gave some sage advice.

"He told me that if it was him, he would throw a jerkbait all day long," Bradley said. "That's what I did — and it almost worked out."

Next up to the scales was Day One leader Ron Plocek of Liverpool, N.Y., who came to the stage thinking he had lost the title, despite entering the final day of co-angler competition in second place.

That's because his three bass on Saturday weighed only 5-10. But when his three-day total added up to 23-07, Plocek ended Paul's dreams of taking home the co-angler crown.

"I thought I would need close to 8 pounds to win," Plocek said. "These guys are so tough — even on the co-angler side — and I just squeaked it out and kind of got lucky in the end.

"Today, I just couldn't get the big bites that I needed ... and I didn't think I would stay in the hot seat very long."

So, was the final co-angler champion in BASS history crowned yet? Not hardly.

That's because Pennellville, N.Y., angler Jesse Herbert came to the stage as the last co-angler of the day, needing 8-03 to take the win.

As BASS emcee Keith Alan and BASS tournament director Trip Weldon looked on, the scales finally settled on Herbert's three lively bass, reporting a weight of 8-02 — apparently leaving Herbert just 1 ounce shy.

A devastated Herbert nearly slumped to the stage, resting his hands on his knees as he looked to the ground, and Plocek began to celebrate from his hot seat perch.

Herbert had reason to be devastated — in addition to what he thought was a 1-ounce loss on Saturday, he also finished in second place at the 2006 Empire Chase, also held on Oneida, losing by a mere 8 ounces that day as well.

Backstage, Herbert was nearly speechless with the thought of being a bridesmaid once again. "I just lost 15 grand by 1 ounce," he said to a angling buddy trying to console him.

"I don't even know what to say. I was throwing a topwater Sammy in aurora black today and I felt good coming in. I didn't lose any fish and I really can't think of anything that I'd do differently."

When asked if he thought he would win as he walked up on to the stage, Herbert shook his head affirmatively. "Yeah, I really did," he said. "I couldn't believe it (when the fish were weighed).

"I really don't know what to say."

On stage, Plocek was celebrating his win, hoisting the co-angler trophy and already making plans on what to do with the $25,000 first-place check.

But not for long.

As the crowd dwindled and the festivities closed for the day, BASS officials determined an error had occurred in the tabulation of Herbert's three-day weight total.

Instead of losing by a mere ounce, Herbert was about to experience a roller coaster ride of emotions when he learned he was actually tied in a dead heat with Plocek for the final co-angler crown in history.

After going to the rule book, BASS officials determined Plocek and Herbert would share the co-angler crown — and each would take home a check splitting the first- and second-place prize money.

So in addition to taking home a trophy for their respective mantels, each angler would also be taking home $17,500 checks.

When interviewed after his apparent solo win, Plocek spoke gracious words that eventually proved applicable for both men.

"This is huge," he said. "This is a wonderful thing (to win) and I'm glad to be a part of history."

History? A tie for a championship win — in the last ever tournament in a particular format — is virtually unprecedented in BASS tournament history.

Asked what he thought when Herbert walked up to the stage, Plocek conceded he thought it was all over.

"I was thinking then that I had second place," he said. "When he (Herbert) handed his bag to Trip, it sure looked good to me — and it looked to be over 8-03 to me.

"When Trip announced the weight, I was shocked."

And so was everyone else.

"It's special (to be a part of the win)," Plocek said. "To win any co-angler event would be huge, but to win this one ... I'm having a hard time finding the words to describe it."

Plocek needn't worry, as everyone else who witnessed today's dramatic overtime co-angler finale was likewise virtually speechless.

What better way to end the Elite Series co-angler format than with a Hollywood ending, where words could scarcely describe the range of emotions and the total passion of these sportsmen, competitive bass anglers fishing for the pure love of the sport?

And doing so from the back of the boat, no less.

Visit Bassmaster.com for full coverage of the Elite Series Champion's Choice with weigh-in host Keith Alan, Aug. 3-10, 2008. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, daily weigh-ins with live streaming video and real-time leaderboards start at 5:00 p.m. ET. On Saturday, catch "Bassmaster University" at 4:15 p.m. ET before the weigh-in. Then on Sunday, get "Hooked Up" with hosts Tommy Sanders and Mark Zona at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET. Live JWC weigh-in video starts at 5 p.m. ET with the final weigh-in and real-time leaderboard of the season starting at 7:30 p.m. ET.

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