Re: Need anchoring help!
In order to comment at all on you situation, need to know approx how deep was the water, how much line you had out, & do you have any chain between the anchor & the rode (anchor line)? If you have a descent anchor with some reasonable chain, and the water isn't to deep, you should be able to get away with about 3:1 scope for a quick stop for some fishing (10' water : 30' line). As has been said, if you were staying for any length of time, &/or staying overnight, you should have at least a 7:1 scope (10' water : 70 feet line).
You shouldn't be 'thowing' the anchor, it should be lowered over the side, when it hits the bottom allow the rode to pay out as the boat drifts back, giving it a few light tugs as it pays out to help the achor 'set' (dig into) the bottom. Ideally, when you have the desired amount of rode out & it is cleated off, put the engine in reverse for a moment while having a hand on the rode to feel if the achor is set in the bottom holding or just bouncing along & not holding. You can also sight a couple of objects on shore to see if the boat is moving or or staying still while the engine is in reverse.
