I broke a rod I liked and it seems like Scheels isn't making that length and action any more.  The best part about the rod was that you could whip tiny light weight stuff way out there.  I use it for panfish and trout.  Maybe a crappie rod company? Budget is $150

Does it have to be 8’?  Bass pro has the 7’6” microlight in an ultralight.  They list it as a fast action but that’s nowhere near the case.  I have one.  With 4# supernatural mono I can fling a single salmon egg a long way.  A 1/32 oz jig goes forever.  

 

And also it’s $60

It doesn't HAVE to be, but I'd like it.  I'd even go longer.  I'd love to try a 9 or even 10.  

If that’s the case, then look at the St Croix Triumph 10’6” UL steelhead rod.  Ultralight power for a steelhead rod puts it around a light power for comparison sake.  Slow action and you can about make the tip touch the butt.  A 5 lb fish has enough power that you just point the butt of the rod at the fish and it bends right over.  I used one for steelhead for years and it is a lot of fun.

 

They also have 8’ and 9’ light powers in the panfish series, but I don’t know those rods.  

The fly fishermen will just shake their heads, lol.

Are you a rod builder or know somebody that can tie a blank for you?  The type of rod you are looking for is also very popular where I am for those same species, but not many manufacturers make such a thing.  The guys here will tie up a 4wt or 5wt blank with a spinning reel seat and guides.  They mostly use them for fishing live bait under a float or drifted with a small shot pattern in the streams.

10 hours ago, MontanaBasser said:

The fly fishermen will just shake their heads, lol.

Meh.  Tell them its a switch rod you put a spinning reel on.