TommisnSalmon

^^^ This.
I can vouch for this method and the Decoy Plugging Singles - I use them on all my HBs (with exception to my YFW surface lures and a small handful of Jackal Chubbies) and am very happy.
stronger -  haven't had a single hook break / failure yet. Where as various other trebles have broken / bent out of shape.  stay sharper for longer, yet to have to replace one better on the fish for C&R purposes safer for me as less points to get caught on when the fish is flapping about everywhere better catch rate on hooked fish Hook up rate is lower, but I put that down to tentative / inquisitive strikes (more so with Bream), where as if the fish wants it they will smash it (generally the case with Flathead / Salmon and YFW in my experience) and then its on like donkey kong!
Ill put some pics up when Im home Micky, but basically:
75mm DCs (as I know you use these) - belly and tail #6 50-60mm minnow / shad style HBs - belly and tail #8 30-40mm minnow / cranks - no belly, tail only #8  90mm and above - depends on the target fish - anything from #4 - #2/0 If I was specifically chasing Salmon, I would only use a single tail hook, not second belly hook. So much easier to handle the fish once you have landed it and lets face it, Salmon aren't tentative, they want it, they smash it. 
Cheers
TL

For mono to mono, definitely double uni or double blood. For braid to mono I'd go an improved albright (see Paulus Fishing's version). 
Plenty of good light flurocarbon mainlines though for running straight through mono. Some of the newer good ones are super thin (similar to cheap braids in diameter) and cheaper than braid. Great for when it's windy (apparently all the time now) or when you're feeling too lazy to tie leader knots.

So to finish the topic a couple more pics.👍
A few little surprises in with the worms.
Drying before a metho dip.

Double bagged ready for the freezer.👌
Cheers

General consensus though is to have the tail hook with the gape curving up for marginally better snag protection and if you have a mid hook, have it the opposite way (J while dangling beneath the lure).
As Doobie said, it doesn't really batter with salmon though. Even if there is a second or third hook point, I wouldn't bother with it for salmon. They go too nuts when you get them out of the water and the less hooks to catch yourself on the better. Also as Doobie said, the way they attack a lure, they're easy enough to hook even with a single hook on the lure tail, no matter which way the hook is facing.

General consensus though is to have the tail hook with the gape curving up for marginally better snag protection and if you have a mid hook, have it the opposite way (J while dangling beneath the lure).
As Doobie said, it doesn't really batter with salmon though. Even if there is a second or third hook point, I wouldn't bother with it for salmon. They go too nuts when you get them out of the water and the less hooks to catch yourself on the better. Also as Doobie said, the way they attack a lure, they're easy enough to hook even with a single hook on the lure tail, no matter which way the hook is facing.

You'll be lucky to find a reel with a spare spool these days, especially in the general beach reel size range.
Budget will determine just how much of a beach reel you'll get. Most of the decent reels under $100-$150 are more freshwater focused. Would be okay for general saltwater use if given a light hose down after, but less so for sand a heavy splashes from the surf. That Rapala is more of a jigging/offshore reel, I believe.
For around the same as you paid for the Rapala, a Quantum Iron 50 should be lighter, has a decent spool lip for casting and good salt protection (only basic sealing like drag knob, though). Can get them for around $100. Spool diameter is slightly larger than Shimano 5000.
The new Quantum Smoke Inshore S3 is about $170 with a reasonably quick (6.0:1) gear ratio, lighter than the Iron and similar salt protection. Very good drag.
For better sealing, you're looking at probably Shimano Spheros or similar. Also heavy like the Rapala but Shimanos usually cast very well. If you want lighter and/or cheaper, or faster gear ratios then you'll be giving up on sealing and some salt protection and looking at stuff like the Nasci 5000.

Very windy today with this front thats come through, but thats no excuse not to go fishing inland on your day off work. 
Just one fish landed
Cheers 

Cheers guys. Got another article in the works. Feels very rewarding to pass on tips to fellow anglers.