Looking for the nicest 16 or 17 trigger skeleton seat around. Having trouble finding any trigger skeleton seats. All suggestions are most welcome. Thanks in advance for any help offered.

David,
Custom Tackle still has some Wiebe handle kits and Neal's at one time had some of the skeleton center sections. Other places have parts of sets, usually the rear parts in casting or spinning but the front sections are usually a Fuji thread which is a dark grey instead of the matching black. Loomis ran out of thread sections years ago and have been doing this on their rods.
Pac bay used to make a Dynawood kit, but all the sources I knew in the NW have no more left.
Something I've thought of, but never tried was taking one of my center sections and the center cork piece and than asking Les at Inserts by Les to make me a custom center section if he could.
Just some thoughts off the top of my head.
If you want and know your blank diameter I could send you one of my center sections, I think most or all of mine are 17 mm.

Spencer,
I had a Wiebe trigger and hood and had Andy make me a real nice insert. I put the assembly on a green Pac Bay rod and it turned out really nice. Even Andy said so (lol).
Cheers, Ellis

Ellis,
Thanks, I like Wiebe design, but I'm getting tired of only cork or EVA inserts. Just received a #28 Camo spinning reelseat and a matching buttcap from Les that really set off an IST 1025 OG I was building as a Xmas gift. That's when I noticed that his working stock was big enough to maybe make an insert.
All the best to all this holiday season.

I saw the one that Andy made for Ellis before he shipped it and it was indeed nice. I have been hoarding three of the Weibe kits for many years and one of these days I'll get Andy to do me some inserts for them.

Later,
Gerald Mc

I create my own split reel seats with a Dremel. I takes just a minor bit of planning. All you need is a good cutting disc and a sanding wheel. Once you've cut the seat in the shape you like, then you can use the sanding wheel to smooth out the edges for a comfortable contour and edges for your fingers' comfort. It works out as a very comfortable and fishable reel seat.