BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—Dion Hibdon, 58, the 1997 Bassmaster Classic champion, passed away on Monday, Jan. 12 after a brief illness.
Hibdon is survived by siblings Dotty and Chuck, wife Amy, and sons Payden, Connor and Lawson from a previous marriage (Jill). He is preceded in death by his father Guido (2018), his mother Stella (2024) and first wife, Jill (2011).
The young Hibdon grew up in the shadow of his father until taking the spotlight after winning the Classic and later the 2000 FLW Cup. Both remarkable achievements underscored Dion’s upbringing and how bass fishing was a family affair involving his father and mother.
Guido won the 1988 Classic along with the exceptional feat of winning Bassmaster Angler of the Year in 1990 and 1991. He competed in 10 Classics and won five B.A.S.S. events. Hibdon is a 1998 Bass Fishing Hall of Fame inductee.
The Classic titles set the Hibdon’s apart as the only father-and-son duo to win the world championship of bass fishing.
Early on, Dion’s parents noticed their son exhibited keen interest in fishing at a surprisingly young age. From then on, Guido and Stella nurtured and cultivated Dion’s passion and dedication to follow in his father’s footsteps.
As a high schooler, Dion acquired a boat which allowed him to guide on Lake of the Ozarks while competing in regional tournament circuits. Upon graduating he joined the family’s traveling caravan full time, competing in his first B.A.S.S. event in 1985. He cultivated a successful career, also competing in eight Classics.
“I can’t say enough good words about Dion and his family,” said Davy Hite, 1999 Classic champion and Bassmaster Angler of the Year in 1997 and 2002.
“The Hibdons were just good, hard working down-to-earth people from the Missouri Ozarks,” continued Hite, also an analyst for Bassmaster LIVE. “Dion grew up in the family fabric of honesty, integrity and not holding back on speaking the truth.
“Guido was a great influence in my career, and it was truly rewarding to be around them, and see Dion grow up just like his father.”
Arrangements were unavailable when this story was written. It will be updated when more information is available.