Methods and apparatus for drafting or transferring water from a water supply to a fire pump in fire service include a strainer, the strainer having a hood member with an open bottom inlet having an inlet aperture, an outlet having an outlet aperture, a suctioning structure extending away from the open bottom inlet of the hood member, and the suctioning structure having a base offset from the open bottom inlet. Method of using the strainer including immersing a strainer in a water supply, fluidly connecting the outlet to a suction side of a pumping apparatus, activating the pumping apparatus, transferring water through the hood member, directing the strainer toward the bottom of the water supply and maintaining the strainer at the bottom of the water supply.