For me, making a surface attack usually happens only if I must run on the surface to get into attack range - I encounter a ship moving at medium or fast speed, where I have no chance of getting into an optimum firing position if I submerge.
Decks awash is the best compromise I can make in that case. I run flat out on the surface, getting as close as I dare (this is the point where I catch myself holding my breath in real life). Then it's set my depth at 25 feet (Sargo class), go decks awash and get even closer.
If I'm spotted, I can crash dive fast and evade because the sub is already flooded down. If I'm not spotted I can take my shots, then turn aside and motor away. Like RR said, once something explodes, all bets are off. I figure everyone is looking at me and it's time to beat feet. Surface and sprint (if no close gun threat) or sink like a stone and rig for silent running.
NOTE FOR NEW CAPTAINS: If you've never done the 'decks awash' thing, try doing a crash dive while using time compression. Watch the depth gauge and see how it goes down, then back up a bit and then down..slowly at first...then suddenly plummets. Now surface and do the same thing again, only start from a depth of 25 feet or so (depends on your type of sub). Notice how much faster you are able to get under. Decks awash is also handy if you absolutely must come up for fresh air while there is a serious risk of detection. Come up slowly until you're able to flush your air system (usually a tiny bit deeper than your flooded down depth). You get rid of the CO2 in your boat, but only expose the absolute minimum of your sub to do so. (I don't know if it's TMOwTw or stock, but there is a specific sound effect that sounds like blowers/air rushing when I'm flushing the CO2, and that's my cue that I'm at the correct depth. The CO2 level drops a second or two later.)
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