>>1265036First of all, pls don’t do the Ugly Stik. Never used the Elite, but the GX2’s have terrible, terrble action for working baits. I’ve heard people say their Micro Graphites are decent. Fenwick Eagles are nice for the same money or Berkley Lightning Rods are great for the money at $40.
So you want to use the same reel? What size is it? It will probably have a “30” or “35” on there somewhere like at the end of the model number.
If it’s something like a 35, I think maybe you should keep that rod+reel combo together and buy a whole new setup for smaller fish. It will balance better and then you can keep the M Trion setup spooled with 10lb line for larger stuff and get a new L or UL setup with 4lb line for the small trout. You can find a lot of respectable spinning setups for $100. Maybe they will have a Pflueger President setup in a UL/L size and those sometimes come with a Bass Pro Graphite series rod for like $90. The President is the next step up from the Trion so you will love it if you like your Trion. Pic related shows the combo I punched in with a 6’6” L rod and a Size 20 President reel, that will be perfect for 4lb line and those 12” trout.
Heavier line means it drags behind the lure more while it’s in the air. The lighter the line, the less weight the lure has to go, the longer the cast.
So I think you should go to Bass Pro and look for combos. I think bass Pro even has their cheaper crappie combo. Otherwise look around, look at the rods and find a UL or L. Look for a lure rating like 1/16-1/4oz and a line rating of 2lb-6lb mono on the rod and reel. Some UL combos will have short like 5’ rods and I recommend going longer. At least 6’, and maybe around 7’ and you will get better casting distance.
https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/pflueger-presidentbass-pro-shops-micro-lite-spinning-rod-and-reel-combo