about 15-20 mph winds and 1-2 ft. waves. lost my brand new $70 anchor setup too. but i know exactly where it is so next time its completely flat i may snorkel out there and get it.
found a place about 500 meters from the shore and about 750 meters from my front door where it drops off from about 2-3 meters (depending on the tide) to about 15 meters. my neighbor said he snorkeled up to it and it was a straight under water cliff and there were big grouper down at the bottom he could see. well now there is a shinny new anchor stuck down there as well.
i will bring my spear with me when i go to look for it and maybe i'll actually get a fish that way