My opinion:
the St Croix is on par with higher end rods including finish (hey they even use winding checks) and the planks are great. They are cheaper because they make a ton of rods in comparison to the boutique brands.
The Bank robber is not a lightning fast telephone pole rod. 7 weight throws a 25 grain line nicely, could probably throw a little more.
I THINK the blank is the same as their legend elite blank with a different finish. Mine throws bass bugs, mice, streamers, nymph rigs all fine.
One thing you have to get used to with this blank (I have two) is the super soft tip. I think it is an advantage for not breaking off fish and fishing within close quarters but some say you have to get used to it.
RE: the yellowstone thing: I bought a St Croix legend elite un casted partly because reading reviews including Y A shootout. Away too stiff for my liking, but I threw a 6 weight line on it and its fine..
YMMV