I often pinch the barbs on my hooks down slightly if they seem too big for the size and style bait being used, and am careful to hook the baits so they remain active, longer. You can also hook grubs with light wire hooks threaded through the tail and out through the head, then turned inside out to release body juices and attract fish, or rather than removing larvae mangled by biting fish, leave them on when you add fresh bait. Often, the additional scent filtrating through the water attracts fish. As for color, you'll find some bait shops offering live, colored grubs, which are created by feeding the grubs dyed food. While many anglers may disagree, there are times when color can make a difference.
Mealworms are another, larger, wiggly grub often available in bait shops.
These work for larger, more active panfish, trout, and larger gamefish. And don't ignore redworms or nightcrawlers. Kept alive, they work well in winter. Just let the ends of a redworm or small piece of nightcrawler dangle off lightweight spoons, jigs and ice flies. Freshwater shrimp and scuds are often overlooked, fabulous winter fish catchers.