Best Way to Make Wire Loops?

[VanderLaan]

Starting to dabble in muskie baits and have been wondering about the best way to make loops on the nose and tail of the through wire.  Is it as simple as twisting the wire with vice grips around a drill bit in a vise?  Is there an easier, more consistent way to skin this cat?  Please give me the skinny...

[eastman03]

It sorta depends on how complex you want to get.  I usually only make a dozen baits at a time, so I often just do the vice grips method to make the loop at one end.  But you can make yourself jigs to get repeatable bends.  Kinda like this:

It helps to get yourself a good pair of round nose pliers that are strong enough to bed thicker wire, I use anywhere from .051 to .092" wire.  Knipex makes excellent tools.   

[LHL]

If you're looking to make just a couple baits (read NOT 100s of the same bait) then a pair of round nose pliers, needle nose pliers, and vise grips are the best way to go.

[woodieb8]

we use a hagens wire bender on wood baits,also round nose pliers. on molded lures we had a jig built ..jigs can be easily made with aluminum block and machinist roll pins.