I was browsing through some of the older threads on this board and saw an interresting post from last year...
[rodbuilding.org]

Has anyone tried these shorter fly rods in a bass tournament?

I can see the advantage of having something that could redirect the lure to another spot without having to reel the line all the ways back in just to recast but the majority of the tournament fishing I've done (just started with a club this year) has been either close up flipping/pitching or deeper water jigs and heavy worms. The topwater action on the Potomac has been a very small percentage of the action so far. I'm guessing a fly rod could be real effective on the Potomac's grass flats if the bass will rise to the persentation.

You're right, topwater action for bass can be a kick. I've used a bucktail fly called a "slider" for many years to fish grass mats and lilly pads. The downside is the hookup ratio is in the vicinity of what you'd expect frogin' the same stuff.

The rods are less than 8 feet long for two reasons; to fit in most rod lockers, and to meet the BASS requirement of rods less than 8' long. Short fly rods are GREAT down here in the deep south when fishing around cypress trees at short distances; much easier to handle. TFO also has a 7.5' 8wt that was specifically designed for fishing in the mangroves (for the same reason) but unless they have changed their tune, it is NOT available as a blank.

Fly rods aren't limited to topwater - I've been fishing a fly rod for almost 35 years and in all that time have rarely bothered with topwater. My 8lb 4oz Virginia smallmouth came on a fly rod and it took a big buggy nymph.

What you're going to find, if you're willing to invest the time, is that such a fly rod can be even more deadly than the other rods in your arsenal. And you can go deep with it, if you want.

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Going deep with a fly rod? I gotta check it out some... crankin' up the search engines!

You can tie or buy sinking flies. You can buy sink-tip or full sinking fly lines. Fly rods aren't limited to top water use and if you want to get the most and best use from them, you'll spend the bulk of your time using one sub-surface, just like you do with your bass rods.

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A full sinking fly line the same weight rating as the rod or one weight heavier is the ticket for the best bass fishing. The sinking line should be a class 4 or 6 for to pull the fly under and follow the contour of the bottom. If you want to use a clouser style fly you can get by with an intermediate fly line. Catching bass on top is a blast but remember this... most bass live under the water not on it.

Duhlberg Divers, rabbit strip flies can be built or bought that look very wormy in the water.
Homer Circle showed me, years ago, how to use a full sinking line and a standard bass popping bug to fish submerged wood and other structures. The line, on a short leader, pulls the bug underwater and as you strip it, it undilates very suggestfully. The I used one in one of the fish tanks at San Mateo Sportman's show many years ago to show how effective it could be. The normally lock jawed bass and one catfish hit the no hook bug 7 times in one cast of the tank. The last small, 1 lb or so bass held on to the fly so hard I had him a foot or so out of the water before he let go.

Spencer's tip is doubly effective because the line runs on the bottom but the bug stays up off the bottom just a bit.

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For most tournaments that I know about though, fly rods are not allowed to be used. I was wanting to try one myself, but read the rules carefully, most will not allow it.