Looking into getting a St Croix Trout Series (6' 4", L) as a small-smallie rod/panfish/maybe even trout rod. I tried using my E6X in Medium but it just feels too powerful for the smaller sized smallmouth that im finding in some creeks/rivers. Wonder if any of y'all have some experience with this rod that they'd be willing to share?

It will suit you perfectly. It's much more versatile than a true ultralight rod. It's a nice rod for spinners, small jigs, top water, Rapala 07, ned rigs. Just about anything you would want to throw for smallies in a stream.

dont overlook the st croix eyecon series in light or medium light depending on the lures you're using and the size of the fish

falcon bucoo sr is on sale at tackle direct for like 50$ id check that out first...

I use a 7 foot light legend elite for similar stuff. Have caught smallies up to 20 inches with it. Best way to fish rebel craws and smaller minnow baits I'm.

I like Kokanee rods for fishing rivers for smallies.  Kokanee rods typically come in light or ultralight and moderate action and have an excellent backbone.  Mine is a 7'6" Okuma SST Kokanee light power and I use it with an Abu 4500CS Rocket spooled with 8lb mono to throw small Hot n Tots, Wiggle Warts, Little Cleos, Rooster Tails, and Mepps spinners.  I landed my PB smallie (6lb 10oz) on this setup and the rod didn't even blink.  

Honestly, for creek smallies, I'm using my 6'6" MH H2O Ethos casting rod with 12# Hybrid. I don't fish small baits, actually, I'm fishing baits from 1/4oz buzzbaits, Plopper 75 and spinnerbaits up to a Jackall Deraball (7/8oz). I don't see the need for tossing the tiny stuff. That's just how I do things, but to each their own.