I've been fishing on and off since I was around 8 to 10 years
I enjoy all aspects, but only carp fishing has been able to provide me this that extra 'something'! Difficult to put it into words really!
Yes, the size of the fish does matter: Its possibly the reason most of us carp-fish??? But having said that, there is a magic in catching the smaller one - but one never knows, that biggy could be the next to take the bait!!
No matter whether its started by a single beep, or a full-blown screamer - the adrenalin starts to pump - for me, there is no match!
The technical side does make a big difference too: from the type of line, through to the end rig - experimenting with same, tweeking established set-ups to give one that 'edge', that will produce when nothing else seems to.
On the baiting side of things, I don't think theres any other branch of the sport that can equal the amount of thought that goes into choosing/making bait for carp. Its a constant battle trying to outwit the carp and I suppose one's fellow anglers!!
I like the solitude that others have mentioned, but I thoroughly enjoy the social side too! Not that I wander far from my rods, but I'll often have a beer or three with a mate. We normally plonk the chairs an equal distance between our two set-ups, and then no-one is at a disadvantage, and either can be on the rods very quickly.
I believe blanking is all part of the learning curve! For me, there is no challenge to go to a water where there is a bite a chuck! I have fished a syndicate water for the last two years and had one carp! I feel these blanking sessions enable the angler to develop water craft. Whilst blanking, there oportunity is there for constant observation of the water, looking for swirls, flat spots, anything out of the ordinary that may signal a carp in the vicinity!