I have really short fingers, and I notice a big difference switching guitars. Aside from stretching to the max, using a shorter scale guitar will physically increase your reach. Fender Mustang's have a 24" scale... I don't have the fret chart in front of me, but that's around 1/2" shorter distance from 2nd to 7th than a Strat.
http://www.fender.com/products//search.php?partno=0273706504
...so ever since then, I always hang on to the buckle.