Looking at the following:

 

Dobyns Champion XP Swimbait Rod 7'9" Med Hvy 795

 

They offer two handles, one about 17 inches, the other about 20 inches long.

 

Any thoughts on why to pick one or the other?  I assume longer for longer casts?  I'm a short guy and think I'd prefer the shorter handle for better accuracy.

 

Am I off base?

I think handle length is  a personal thing. For me, I'm 6'+ On a rod that I throw baits say under 3 ozs, I prefer a shorter handle. I have a Irod 783sb which is close to your 795 only mine has a split handle, I throw 2.6 oz and under with it. On a rod that I would toss say 4 oz to 6 oz, I prefer a longer handle just for the leverage it provides while casting heavy baits all day. IMHO, handle length doesn't mean longer cast's, it's the technique, let the rod do the work.

 

 

Dobyns 795 with LH or long handle, didn't know they offered it.

The long handle is availble in the 806 SB LH.

If the handle length is longer then the palm of the hand to your elbow, the handle butt end tends to snag your clothing retreiving lures. I hold the rod by a few inches of the fore grip and LH handles are too long for me. 

The longer handle gives you leverage casting, you still need to be able to comfortably retreive lures and get a good hook set. 

Tom