Westwood wrote on Feb 11^th, 2014 at 6:03pm:

I have used the method described by Jammar and it works well in some situations.  If you are fishing with a Rapala and you try Jammar's method, your hand and the Rapala can be very close together.  The other drawback to Jammar's method is if you have to use a jaw spreader.

You are exactly right, that happened to me with about 16-17 lb fish and ended up with a Rapala attaching us together, barbs and all. I was mostly due to the fact that I tried to scoop it up while it was still too hot. Never want to do that again! I am much more cautious now even a little afraid when a big one is hooked. I use your method of pinching over the back behind the gills on the smaller fish but I don't have meat hook sized hands, I a smaller fellow. Its tough for me to even spread my grip across the back on those extra large pike and get a firm enough grip. Yes the method I suggest requires an abundance of caution with a huge helping of patience. Unless you are Hulk Hogan, a 25+ lb Northern thrashing in your grip at the end of your arm is battle you are not gonna win.

As far as measuring goes I use a cloth tape from my wife's sewing kit (shhh!). A 48" steel yard stick is too difficult to mount and seems too awkward for me with huge fish.