I think that 8 before going to bed is for Type 1s on mixed insulin, a bit of a large safety factor built in!
Dawn Phenomenon can be tricky, sometimes paradoxically it may help to add a few *more* carbs either to your evening snack or to breakfast, just enough to turn it off without spiking you. Sometimes a handful of nuts washed down with red wine is recommended (no, not for breakfast!) some people do better with more fats in the mix, like cheese, it's basically something you have to tinker about with until you find your own best practice.