We had an earlier posting here on the Net's "Western Florida" page about shoaling along this stretch of the Western Florida ICW, hard by Jewfish Key and Longboat Pass. As Captain Scott's info below is so specific and timely, I'm putting it up as a fresh post, hopeing more will take advantage of this data.

We draw 6’ and ran aground well within the channel Thanksgiving week.  The sandbar runs from the NW towards Moore’s to the SE into the middle of the channel  near 38A.  The edge of the sandbar in the channel is very steep so there is no warning. 
Slightly contrary to the info posted on the SYS website, the best I recorded about 5.3’ above 0’ (recorded on a calm day).  The path I used to get across was in line with the  eastern edge of the marked channel.
Scott Cooper