2-4 nl, 3-6 nl, live 2-5 nl.. etc

These seem like the stakes where I notice good skill jumps in cash, and I stay out of them unless the games totally warrant playing (2+ obviously bad players). I can usually stack the bad ones but avoid the stronger players... is this how most other people play? Or are they constantly sizing up the strong players and looking for spots they are weak in, and exploit that (correctly 3 betting light pf, c/r bluffs, etc)

How do you guys stay profitable (and comfortable) venturing out to do some of these plays, like making river c/r bluffs against strong players... 3-betting light pf with A8s when you know the other guy is probably raising <Kx or worse)

When I play live at my casino I assume everyone is terrible and usually its the case. We might just have exceptionally soft games but VERY VERY rarely do I come across anyone semi-competent. I play 200NL and 500NL live.

Live 2/5 NLHE varies A LOT. Sometimes it's a crazy game, often it's soft, sometime it's kinda like a 100NL game with a little looser pre-flop play and live specific leaks all around.