I've been doing some more research and have found that the UK fishes pellets for carp and they have some techniques used for surface fishing with 'smart' fish....
Has anyone heard of the The Gardner Suspender Float? Basically it is a float with an attchment that keeps the line up in the air and out of the water or view from the fish. Not sure how to copy a picture and post it?
They also do a beachcaster setup in which you have a second line suspended from the main line above the water so pellet just goes directly into the water with line going straight above to the main line. Hard to explain..again, not sure about posting a picture of the setup.
Also, if I used a couple feet of flurocarbon leader is there something I could use to keep the pellet floating? I am just thinking of surface fishing but want a leader that is nearly invisible above the water or in the water?
thanks again for all the advice, I have a bunch of different options for the next time I fish this lake, I just know they love pellets and if I could just get them to strike the one I'm using....