Yeah, I'm not sure "smaller" clones from the bottom is all that great. That's where, and how, I'm mainly taking mine and they're certainly not setting any rooting records.
So basically, decent sized clones taken from the bottom might work real good. I mean, I've gotten them so short I could barely hold them to work with. The hormone thing may apply, but I also suspect the lower growth to be the least desirable at harvest time, and thus, perfect clone fodder.