After going thru several rods chasing smallies, I've settled on two main guns:

St Croix Legend Ultra 898-4 "Bob Clouser" signature series 8'9" 8wt. More of a med-fast action. St Croix is not producing these rods anymore, so one may be hard to find.
Or
Temple Fork Outfitters TiCrX 9ft 8wt. Really fast rod....for when I need extra distance or in windy condtitions, or really need to chuck a big, heavy fly.

I also like my St Croix Legend Ultra 906-4 9ft 6wt for throwing topwater poppers and such.