Thanks! As for the jaw, I'm a big catch-and-release guy. I only kept 1/65 fish I got down there this year, though I love the meat. It's all about conservation for me, and if more people released the big ones down there, we wouldn't have to worry about so many little 1-2 pounders.
So here goes: you've probably read that it is harmful for a fish to hold it vertically, no? Well, this is true. It strains the internal organs, and the bigger the fish is, the more damage it can do. So, holding them horizontally is the best choice. The reason I hold the jaw tightly, is because that helps me get a good grip on the fish without putting pressure on any organs, gills, etc. Most of the river has rocky shorelines, so if the fish flops out of your hands, they often fall on rocks. I've seen quite a few fish die unnecessarily this way. So, even though the fish over about 14" have some teeth on them, I'd rather cut my hands a bit than kill a fish.
So yeah...not about making the fish look bigger, just about keeping it alive until I can release it