Yeah, that's one advantage. You also move more line on a hook set. And, because the fish have more leverage, they fieel bigger on a longer rod. My favorite bluegill/crappie rod is 12', but that's fishing from shore with a float. I'd go shorter in a boat.
Short rods are good in tight quarters and when fishing out of a tube (easier to land fish.)
I have a bunch of 4.5-5.5' rods, but I rarely use them anymore. Except for the circumstances I listed above, I don't think short rods do anything better than long rods.