The bass fishing world is mourning the loss of Dion Hibdon, a true legend of the sport, who passed away after a period of declining health. His death marks the passing of not only one of competitive fishing’s great champions, but also one of its most humble and genuine figures.
At a time when many professional anglers were known for bravado and self-promotion, Dion stood apart. He was consistently down to earth, approachable, and focused on the craft rather than the spotlight. Even after becoming one of the few anglers in history to win both the Bassmaster Classic and the Forrest Wood Cup, Dion carried his success with quiet humility.
That humility was on display following his 2000 Bassmaster Classic victory, when reporters asked how it felt to finally step out of the shadow of his famous father, legendary angler *Guido Hibdon.
“When I won the Classic in 2000, some writers said that I had finally escaped my dad’s shadow,” Dion said at the time. “Well, that was never a goal of mine.”
Despite his modesty, there was no mistaking that Dion Hibdon was a legendary fisherman in his own right. Known for thriving in the toughest conditions, Dion often excelled when others struggled. When word spread that the bass fishing was difficult, Hibdon’s name was still near the top of the leaderboard. His ability to read water, take calculated risks, and target areas most anglers avoided consistently set him apart.
He was known for methodically casting and pitching into tight, unconventional spots—places where many wouldn’t dare throw a lure—and coming away with impressive results. As he once explained his approach to targeting big bass:
“The bigger he gets, the lazier he gets. But if you put it right in front of his face, he’ll hit it.”
Yet beyond trophies and tournament results, those closest to Dion remember him most for his devotion to family. In 2018, he stepped away from his professional career to be at his father’s side as Guido battled cancer. One particularly moving moment captured the depth of that bond.
In an effort to lift his father’s spirits, Dion wheeled him down to a pond so he could watch his great-granddaughter fish. Encouraged by family members, Guido decided to make a cast himself. Against all odds, he landed a two-pound bass—the final fish he would ever catch.
The moment brought tears to Dion’s eyes.
That scene, like so many others in his life, reflected who Dion Hibdon truly was: a champion angler, a devoted son, a loving father, and a man who understood that the greatest moments weren’t always measured by weigh-ins or trophies, but by time spent with the people who mattered most.
Dion Hibdon’s legacy will live on in the waters he mastered, the anglers he inspired, and the family he cherished. He will be remembered always as a legend of the sport—and an even better human being.