The de-hooking device that has been described here a few times (and also at the WDFW website) IMO, is the best method I've used so far. The bigger the boat you have, the longer you make the stick.

EDIT: You can mark out 22" or 24" on the dowel, lay it along side the fish in the water, and you can get a pretty good idea if you've got a keeper or not.
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