I was told by a very experienced angler that lobsters do not like white color. Best to spray every item, black. It may even keep seal and sea lions off the bait cage.
The easiest way to measure lobster is to let them sit on the palm of your hand. A glove is a must. They relax and measurement can be taken with no fight.
It looks like you do catalina pretty often in that boat. How easy is the crossing and back on a 17 foot skiff? I'm asking because I'm planning on getting a parker 1801 and would like to fish the islands as well.