Four hours ago is apparently not the right time to post for me, haha.
I have found my best times to post, for votes at least, were early mornings and around noon, but that was mostly thanks to liberosist. Comments are a bit all over the place, although I've not really kept track of when I get more or less.
It can be hit and miss for me too.
I have found the same as you, early in the morning is seems to be the best time to post. Maybe people on the way to work. I never keep track of comments but I have found if I use the esteem app to comment I usually get at least 40 cents per comment.
That's a strange one. I wonder if everyone using esteem get 40 cents a comment, haha.