Really struggling to find the right approach for playing in the average 2/5 NL game. Average game at my casino is balanced with nitty regs, loose passive recreational players and the occasional LAG. Feels like when I play to tight I don't get enough opportunities to outplay these weaker players, however when I play more aggressively feels like I'm spewing due to the fact that almost every raised pot is multi way and can't get anyone off a hand. I realize this is a very vague question that is player and table dependent. Would just like some general opinions on which is better vs average 2/5 game.

Moved from Poker Theory

If your game is capped, which it likely is, tag is the best style. The math is pretty clear about it when it's 100 BB or less. It's not the most exciting way to play, but it's profitable.

Someone with $150 raises $25 and it folds to you OTB with 22? Can't call. Someone with $300 raises $25 and it folds to you with 98s? Can't call. Pretty boring right? Well that's capped NLH.

Sure you see guys calling huge raises with 54o and getting it in after flopping a draw and winning massive pots. But the math is very clear how -EV that is.

Don't try to outplay people or get people off a hand. People don't like to drive all the way to a casino only to fold A5 on an AJ4 flop. Learn to value bet instead.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but if you are asking this question, you're not really in a position to "outplay" 2/5 regulars. The gap between you and them is far smaller than you think.

You "outplay" people at 2/5 by getting more money in when you're ahead and putting less money (or folding) when behind. It sounds like you think outplaying people is getting them to fold better hands with sick bluffs.

Therefore, play TAG as a default until you can determine what style play works better. Note that the choice of style of play can be for just a few hands if that is what the table is giving you at that moment.

To follow up on venice's point. You shouldn't walk into a room thinking, "I'm going to be TAG tonight (insert style of play as you will)." You walk in with the thought that you're going to play well and under control. That will look a lot different from one night to the next. It's important to play in a way that maximizes what you do best. When you're earlier in your career that's probably going to be tight aggressive and highly selective. Once you learn to better identify different opportunities and how to play those spots better you will naturally open up. Being able to go back and forth is a big step for any player, but until you know what you're doing you can't really do it very well. Above all, when you're struggling or uncomfortable, keep it simple. Don't do stuff that you're not sure you can pull off well. That'll keep you out of trouble.

A lot of people think what is actually LAG is TAG and what is actually horrible is LAG when playing 9 or 10 handed.