The reason bass rods are short is mostly for casting accuracy. You'll see guys using 6 foot and 6.5 foot rods for throwing spinnerbaits tight to cover. It's tough to throw a spinnerbait 6 inches from the bank and quietly on an 8 foot rod.
But I hear what you are saying Ed, and I don't fish any freshwater bass rods under 6' 10". That's just my style and it comes from being a saltwater fisherman too.
Talk to Matt Peters though, his sticks are mostly 6 to 7 foot for bass-n' and he can tell you more about the advantages of this.