8' deep water is pretty deep to feed train BG.
I'd position the feeder to throw feed from the SW, W or NW corner of the pond out over 2'-4', maybe 5' deep water. From that end of the pond, prevailing winds will blow/drift pellets out deeper.
It's rare to have a SMB pond in Arkansas. Please post a picture and if you can't figure it out, e-mail it to me at scott@hoosierpondpros.com and I'll get it posted for ya. Check your PM's, I sent you one.