Reality TV Star, Metal-Detecting Expert Comes To St. Pete

ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- Considered a superstar among treasure-hunting enthusiasts, metal-detecting expert Gary Drayton will be at Dick's Sport Goods at Tyrone Square Mall, 6775 22nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg, on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Drayton is a Minelab metal detector expert who rose to national fame as a member of "The Curse of Oak Island" team. The reality television series on the History Channel documents the search for treasure on the island in Nova Scotia. Six people have died searching for the treasure rumored to have been hidden on the island by the Knights Templar, Francis Bacon, pirates or the Aztec empire.

Drayton, who lives in South Florida. ignited enthusiasm in the search after using his metal-detecting skills to find a Knights Templar cross along with ancient coins and centuries-old buttons.

He's also been featured on the Travel Channel's "Expedition Unknown."

His fascination with all things hidden began when he was a young man growing up in the English seaside town of Grimsby — once the largest fishing port in the world.

In Grimsby, he used to spend his spare time doing what is known as “mud larking” — looking for historic old bottles and clay pipes in river banks, often hundreds of years old. But when Drayton started discovering more and more coins during his searches, he decided to throw himself into the world of metal-detecting.

In Florida, he's become infatuated with the hunt for Spanish treasure, and spends most of the year searching for precious finds using his trusty Minelab metal-detectors to aid in his quest.

During Saturday's meet-and-greet, Drayton and other Minelab experts will give attendees tips on hunting for lost Spanish treasure along Florida's beaches.

"Detecting is a rapidly growing hobby and a good way to get people off the couch and outside for a great adventure," said Minelab spokesman Ben Pavlovic.

Drayton and Minelab, the world leader in metal detecting technologies for consumer, humanitarian demining and military needs, are currently touring the country to promote the growing hobby.

Dick's Sporting Goods carries the Minelab Equinox 800 metal detector, which retails for $899.

Images via Minelab

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