Instead of a float controller, you use a normal lead setup with a long hooklength. To fish with the bait on the surface, the hooklength need?s to be set to the depth of the water you?re fishing.
I tend to fish with the bait between two feet & two inches from the surface. If your hooklength is so long that it?s awkward to cast, it can be carefully folded & tied with PVA string. Once in the lake, the string dissolves and your bait floats up, extending the hooklength. Can be very useful when you want to fish a floating bait at range.
I'll sort you one out monday Noddy!