Excellent questions and points Russ. Im off to see Logan in a few minutes, so a detailed answer will have to wait. The short version is I think we are both right - depending on the details.
Im pretty sure I do have a 2D shot of that same bait ball, but not sure how close it was taken time wise. I know I have Panoptix of the ball and your right - it looks very very different in 3D.... more later...