It has been my observation that the fish actually prefer pellets that are not on the surface. Assuming the pellets do not make it to deep enough water that is below the thermocline and devoid of oxygen, they will get cleaned up off the bottom.
I've observed this preference in several different ways. When the water is clear enough to see the bottom, lots of fish much prefer to not come to the surface and will take a pellet mid water or on the bottom over something floating on the top. I think they come to the top because they have to, not because they want to. I still have some catfish that will not come to the surface for pellets. I can see them swimming frantically below the BG waiting for scraps to make it down to mid water or lower.
I've observed fish eating a pile of pellets on the bottom with an under water camera (while sitting in the boat).
I've laid on the bottom with scuba gear on and had FHM and small BG peck all over my legs and arms looking for something to eat. I've taken feed down in a plastic bottle or baggie and after it soaks up observed fish feeding on it in mid water structure and on the bottom.
In reality, it is my opinion that we would be much better off feeding slowly sinking feed rather than floating feed IF (and it is a big if) we could determine the proper level of feeding. I'm satisfied the only reasons for having floating feed is for our own satisfaction of watching the fish feed AND it gives us the ability to monitor consumption. I really think more fish would get to the feed it is was slowly sinking. I like to feed about 10% of the total feed being a sinking type, but the problem all I can find it in is 32% catfish feed. So lately I have not been using any. But I really like adding in some sinking feed with the floating.
Ditto about the slnking getting quick attention and it seems the fish prefer not to come to the surface. I also feed hydrated feed and get a better response with that. In fact I have fish that get spoiled on the hydrated feed, and don't want the dry feed if I forget to hydrate the feed for the day.
On top of that if I pinch the hydrated feed to get it to sink it is immediately engulfed within two or three feet of the surface regardless of where I drop it off the pier. (I feed off a pier that completely crosses my pond.)
When I had largemouth bass, and fed the oversize bass pellets, the fathead minnows attacked them with gusto as particles freely came off them until they sank.
The main reason we have dried feed whether it be fish feed, dog feed, or rabbit feed is it's easier to store for periods of time that way not that it's so great in that form.
