Mike,
If you are fishing for one of the toothy fishies, a shock tippet is in order.
Other fish have sharp gill covers, or a habit of tring to rub the hook out of their mouths.
I use about 4" of wire for blues or pike.
Fish with some serious choppers.
For other fish that I might be concerned with I would most likely use a straight piece of 20# mono for a leader.
Your own mileage may vary.
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"The day after tomorrow is the third day of the rest of your life"
The simpler the outfit, the more skill it takes to manage it, and the more pleasure one gets in his achievements.
--- Horace Kephart