On the rise up the tail sits lower in the water as if it's feeding while the regular sk sits horizontal. The rise up also has a little bit more wobble on the retrieve I believe. As far as the weight goes just add and subtract tungsten putty from the chambers until you get the rof you want
Drag a hudd or dead stick it. Big wake baits too. If your catching them on jerkbaits then upsize to a gan craft or a slide swimmer. Jig bite then go with the hudd.
Stick with the basics and you'll be fine. Some triple trouts and some punkers and you'll be good for stripers. Hudds, slammers and a glide bait won't hurt either. Everything works here in Ma you just gotta put the time in
Cardiff 300 is a good starter reel for the money. If you would rather have a low profile reel though it would probably be better to spend the extra money to get a lexa or winch