A drag mechanism for a spinning reel for providing frictional resistance to the rotation of the spool of a spinning reel. The spinning reel includes a body having a rotor assembly coupled to the main body for rotating about a central axis. A crank handle is connected to the body for rotating the rotor assembly and oscillating a spindle passing through the rotor assembly. A spool assembly is disposed upon the spindle and defined by engageable structural features on the interior surface of a drag stack chamber to couple with spool washers having correspondingly matable engagement features. A drag knob assembly is connected to the spool assembly opposite the rotor assembly for controlling axial friction forces within the drag stack chamber and counter-rotation friction of the spool relative to the spindle. At least one spool washer is fixedly attached to the spool to provide a drag system for spinning reels that is more effective and with greater control.